Cong Slams Govt Move to Hike Excise on Petrol, Diesel by Rs 3/Ltr

The government looks to mop up gains arising from fall in international oil prices.

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Excise duty on petrol and diesel was on Saturday, 14 March, hiked by Rs 3 per litre as the government looked to reap the gains arising from fall in international oil prices.

Special excise duty on petrol was hiked by Rs 2 to Rs 8 per litre in case of petrol and to Rs 4 in case of diesel, an official notification said.

Additionally, road cess was raised by Rs 1 per litre each on petrol and diesel to Rs 10.

The increase in excise duty would, in normal course, result in a hike in petrol and diesel prices but most of it would be adjusted against the fall in rates that would be necessitated because of the slump in international oil prices.

Congress Slams Move

Slamming the Modi government’s decision to hike the excise duty on petrol and diesel, the Congress has demanded that both petrol and diesel be brought under the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

‘BJP vs BJP’

Several people on Twitter were quick to recount the numerous occasions on which BJP leaders (while in the Opposition) had advocated for the lowering of petrol and diesel prices.

Despite its seeming unpopularity though, not everyone was critical of the move.

(With inputs from PTI)