Petrol, diesel prices slashed by Rs 9.50 and Rs 7 per liter; Congress questions intent

New Delhi : To lower the burden of inflation on common man, the Central government announced a price cut of petrol and diesel prices by Rs 9.50 and Rs 7 per liter respectively. LPG cylinder price for those registered under Ujjwala scheme has also been reduced by Rs 200 per cylinder.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the cut in excise duty of fuel prices, as well as subsidy in LPG cylinders. Excise duty on petrol and diesel has been slashed by Rs 8 and Rs 6 per liter respectively. While the ministers from BJP government praised the decision, opposition leaders called it a gamble of numbers.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the decision and said, "Under PM Modi's governance, the common man of India has been given a huge benefit of Rs 200 subsidy on LPG cylinder."

Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also lauded the decision and asked Uddhav Thackeray to slash the VAT on petrol and diesel prices.

BJP national president JP Nadda called the announcements 'historic' and also lauded the commitment of Modi government towards common man.

However, leaders from the Opposition party were not very impressed by the announcements; they called it a gamble of numbers by BJP government. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "how much you want to fool the people?" He claimed that the prices were increased by Rs 10 per liter in last 60 days and now they have been reduced by Rs 9.5 per liter.