The extra burden on common man is due to previous government: PM Modi

New Delhi : With things opening up and economy trying to get back on track, India is dealing with several price hikes amid rising demands and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has blamed previous government's import policies for the extra burden on common man.

Within months, the cost of petrol in several parts of the nation have crossed Rs 100 mark per litre, impacting severely the pocket of middle class man.

PM Narendra Modi blamed India's dependence on the import of energy as the prime reason of inflation. He said India imported over 85% of its oil needs in the 2019-20 financial year and 53% of its gas requirement. 

"Can a diverse and talented nation like ours be so energy import dependent?" he asked, addressing an online event to inaugurate oil and gas projects in poll-bound Tamil Nadu.

"I do not want to criticise anyone but I want to say (that) had we focused on this subject much earlier, our middle-class would not be burdened," he said.

Meanwhile, the Opposition parties have blamed the Modi government for the price hike in fuel as the government imposes heavy taxes on the fuel. Congress has claimed that the Centre is imposing high taxes to ensure maximum benefits.

The government had imposed extra taxes during the lockdown when the demand of fuel had dropped drastically. But with the demand coming back, the Centre has not slashed the increased taxes, resulting in higher rates of the fuel.

Central and state taxes make up for 60% of the retail selling price of petrol and over 54% of diesel.