Congress to hit the streets over fuel price hike, calls for Bharat bandh on Sept 10

Describing the recent spate of rise in diesel and petrol prices as 'fuel loot’, the Congress party has called for a 'Bharat bandh' on September 10, claiming support from several other opposition parties, including Left parties.

"By increasing fuel prices, the Modi government has collected ₹11 lakh crore. Where has this huge money gone?" asked Congress leaders at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.

The party demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The Modi government had earlier rejected the demand, saying that most state governments were opposed to the idea.

"Many promises were made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before coming to power in 2014, but none were kept. When questions were raised by Congress president Rahul Gandhi about the Rafale deal and unprecedented growth in the business of Amit Shah's son, those too went unanswered," said senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot.

"The mismanagement of economy has led to price hike of all essentials in the country. When fuel prices were rising during the UPA regime, taxes were reduced to take the burden off the common masses. But due to fuel price mismanagement by the current government, the prices of petrol, diesel and gas cylinders have been goning up steeply," he added.

"We decided for the Bharat Bandh call on Septmeber 10 after a meeting of all party general secretaries and the state leaders today," said Gehlot, adding the party was in touch with other opposition parties for their support.

He said Congress workers would protest at petrol stations across the nation between 10 AM to 3 PM.

Later, head of the Congress media cell, Randeep Singh Surjewala, said the "fuel loot" haD resulted in the Modi government profiting ₹11 lakh crore. In May 2014, he said, the excise duty on petrol was ₹9 per litre, while today it is ₹19 per litre. "Similarly, the excise duty on diesel in 2014 was ₹3 and today it is around ₹15.”

"An RTI reply has revealed that the Modi government is selling diesel for ₹34 per litre and petrol for ₹37 per litre to other countries whereas in India the price is high," he alleged.

"Bringing petrol and diesel under GST will alone give a relief to common people by ₹ 10-15 per litre," he said.