NEW DELHI: Opposition parties on Friday upped the ante against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government after Centre raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre across the country amid rising global energy crisis.Sharing a post on X, Congress took a swipe at PM Modi, stating, “‘Inflation Man’ Modi has once again lashed out at the public today.”“Petrol and diesel have been hiked by 3-3 rupees. Meanwhile, CNG prices have also been increased by 2 rupees,” the party said. “Elections over – Modi kih vasooli shuru (Modi’s collection campaign begins),” it added.The sharp remarks came after fuel retailers increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre, pushing rates higher across major metro cities. According to ANI, petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 97.77 per litre, up from Rs 94.77 earlier, while diesel prices have risen to Rs 90.67 per litre from Rs 87.67.
‘Fuel hike will worsen inflation’
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also slammed the Narendra Modi-led government, alleging that the move would fuel inflation and hurt economic growth amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.In a post on X, Jairam said that Congress had repeatedly urged the Centre to pass on the benefits of lower international crude oil prices to consumers in previous years, but claimed domestic fuel prices were not reduced at the time.“For years when international oil prices were soft or declining, the Indian National Congress had been urging that those benefits should be passed on to Indian consumers and that domestic prices of gas, petrol, and diesel should be reduced,” Jairam said.“That, however, did not happen and consumers were fleeced,” he said. “Now that international oil prices are climbing up because of the war in West Asia unleashed by the PM’s good friends, the US and Israel and assembly elections are over, the Modi Govt has increased petrol and diesel prices after having hiked commercial LPG prices earlier. This is bound to lead to further inflation that is now projected to be close to 6% for this financial year. Growth estimates will be lowered considerably,” he added.
‘Pathetically predictable’: TMC
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien also criticised the fuel price hike, saying the Centre was burdening people after the elections. Taking to X, the TMC MP said, “First they loot your vote, then they kick you where it hurts. Pathetically predictable. Diesel and petrol prices hiked.”“Will Bengal Govt reduce VAT on petrol & diesel now that there’s a Delhi-controlled government which doesn’t have to worry about funds being blocked by Centre?” he added.His remarks came after the latest revision pushed petrol prices above the Rs 100-mark in Kolkata. Petrol in the city now costs Rs 108.74 per litre after an increase of Rs 3.29, while diesel prices rose by Rs 3.11 to Rs 95.13 per litre.The latest hike comes amid rising global energy prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global crude shipping route.According to PTI sources, the increase is still only a partial adjustment and does not fully reflect the sharp surge in global fuel prices since the conflict escalated.India had so far avoided increases in petrol and diesel prices, choosing instead to absorb the pressure through state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs), tax adjustments and supply management measures.On May 12, Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India had ensured stable fuel prices and uninterrupted energy supplies despite rising crude oil prices and global disruptions, noting that the country holds enough stocks to last around two months.
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At the same time, he cautioned that if crude oil prices remain elevated and retail fuel prices are not revised, state-owned fuel retailers could face losses of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore within a single quarter.Earlier, PM Modi also urged people to reduce edible oil usage, adopt public transport, car-pooling and electric vehicles, avoid buying gold for a year and shift towards natural farming practices to reduce dependence on imports and save foreign currency.
