Congress Alleges Government Collected Over Rs 36 Lakh Crore from Citizens via Petroleum Taxes

The Congress party has accused the central government of collecting over Rs 36 lakh crore from citizens through petroleum products in the past five years. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that instead of boosting welfare scheme funding, the Modi administration has reduced allocations by manipulating data. He alleged that excessive taxes on petrol and diesel have burdened the common people.

Representative image

Kharge highlighted that international crude oil prices have decreased by 32% since May 2014, yet the government's high taxes on fuel persist. He suggested that the Modi government seems intent on financially burdening the middle class. "This government is an expert in closing down old schemes, sometimes changing the names of Congress schemes and calling them new and sometimes trying to garner accolades by changing the names of its own schemes repeatedly," he stated.

Petroleum Tax Collection

Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who raised a question in the Rajya Sabha regarding tax collections from petroleum products, shared that the Centre admitted to collecting over Rs 36 lakh crore from this sector in five years. Surjewala described this as a significant revelation, exposing what he termed as "loot" by the government. He shared these details in a post on X, along with the government's written response.

Surjewala further elaborated on the disparity between crude oil prices and retail fuel prices. He noted that while crude oil is priced at USD 73 per barrel today, petrol and diesel prices in Delhi are Rs 94.77 and Rs 87.67 per litre, respectively. He argued that based on current crude prices, petrol should cost Rs 64.44 per litre and diesel Rs 59.61 per litre.

Infrastructure Concerns

Kharge also criticised the state of infrastructure under the current government, citing incidents like bridge collapses and issues with airport roofs. He mentioned cracks on highways and leaks in the new Parliament building's roof as examples of infrastructure failures. These issues, according to Kharge, reflect poorly on the government's handling of public resources.

The Congress leader's statements come amid ongoing debates about fuel pricing and taxation policies in India. The party continues to challenge the government's economic strategies, particularly those affecting everyday citizens. The allegations highlight concerns about transparency and accountability in fiscal management.

The Congress party's accusations underscore a broader political discourse on economic policies affecting ordinary Indians. As discussions continue, these claims may influence public perception and policy debates in India.