Mere 'tokenism', cry angry Oppn parties

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday hit out at the Modi government over what it described as a "meagre" reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel, saying it is like applying a band-aid after inflicting a thousand wounds on the people of the country.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claimed it was a "panic reaction" by the government after facing public ire and an "imminent defeat" for the BJP in upcoming assembly elections in five states, and said the step will bring little relief to the people as it is like "reducing death sentence to life imprisonment".

Alleging over "Rs 13-lakh-crore fuel loot" through the imposition of heavy excise duty on petrol and diesel and an equal amount through VAT by BJP-ruled states, he said the people "cannot be befooled" anymore by the government and demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded that the Centre should slash fuel prices by Rs 10 per litre at least and also withdraw the cess on petroleum products.

"The central government should slash fuel prices by Rs 10 at least. This government at the Centre is not bothered about the well-being of the masses. They are only interested in their party (BJP)," Banerjee, whose government had last month slashed petrol and diesel prices by Re 1 per litre, said while addressing a programme in Siliguri.

The Centre should also withdraw the cess on petroleum products. The increase in fuel prices have a spiralling effect on the prices of essential commodities, Banerjee added.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that the Modi government increased excise duty on fuel by Rs. 10 and today reduced just Rs. 2.50. "It is a sham. The Centre should have at least reduced prices by Rs. 10 per litre," he tweeted.