The Telangana minister accused PM Modi of being insensitive to the interests of common citizens while favouring corporate companies.
KTR demanded to know why the Central government allowed the export of crude oil bought from Russia. (Creative Commons)
Telangana IT and Industries Minister KT Ram Rao on Friday, 16 December, lashed out at the BJP-led Central government for reducing the windfall tax on crude oil instead of transferring the benefit to the masses by way of lowering petrol and diesel prices.
The BRS leader accused the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of being insensitive to the interests of common citizens while favouring a handful of corporate companies.
“The Central government did not reduce the prices of petrol, but it brought down the taxes paid by corporate companies. This clearly shows that the corporate companies are the top priority for the Central government,” said KTR.
He added that a sum of ₹35,000 crore was saved by importing crude oil from Russia at a discounted price, and that only two-three companies benefited from it.
He claimed that the corporate companies refined the crude oil bought from Russia and exported it to other countries.
He demanded to know why the Central government allowed the export of crude oil bought from Russia.
“Ordinary Indian citizens did not benefit from it. Who is pocketing the profits?” the minister asked.
Finding fault with the Central government for blaming states like Telangana for high petrol prices, KTR pointed out that the cess imposed by the Centre was the reason for the costs.
The minister said ₹30 lakh crore was collected in the form of cess.
He also said that the Value Added Tax (VAT) had not increased in Telangana since 2014.
He said that the price of petrol could be reduced to ₹70 per litre and diesel to ₹60 per litre if the Centre scrapped cess.
Apr 30, 2024
Apr 30, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
Apr 29, 2024
