Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Arvind Sawant on Friday slammed the Centre and various Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state governments over reducing taxes on petrol and diesel prices, terming it as an election strategy and pointed out that people of the country were aware of such "jumlas".
"When petrol prices were Rs 117 per barrel, it was available for Rs 74 in India. Now per barrel price is Rs 84 but we are getting it at Rs 110 per litre. Petrol is so cheap (in the international market), retail prices should also be set accordingly. On the issue of states reducing taxes, you should first reduce the excise duty, automatically the prices will decrease in the state too. What your states have done is part of their election strategy. The people of India are now aware of your jumlas," said Mr Sawant.
He further raised the issue of transfer of funds under Goods and Service Tax (GST) by the central government to state governments.
"If you will give the state government's GST money, then the Maharashtra government will be able to take some more steps, it is our rightful money. Legally, Rs 35,000 to 40,000 crore of GST money has to come from the central government, first give us that money and then point fingers at us," added Mr Sawant.
In relief to consumers, the Finance Ministry on Wednesday announced a Rs 5 per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and a Rs 10 per litre cut in excise duty on diesel. Amid record-high fuel prices, this is the first cut in central excise duties in over three years.
After the central government's announcement, many BJP ruled states also declared a reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel in their own states.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Aaditya Thackeray Elected Shiv Sena (UBT) Legislature Party Leader From Auto Rickshaw Driver To Maharashtra Chief Minister: The Eknath Shinde Story "Have You Searched D Fadnavis?" Sena vs Sena In Uddhav Thackeray Bag Row On Reopening Delhi Schools, Top Court's Note On Air Purifiers, Mid-Day Meal Saudi Prince's Style Shift Sets Up New World Order Strategy "D Fadnavis Will Be Maharashtra Chief Minister," Claims BJP Ally "My Friend, Don't Cross The Line": Manipur MP's Reply To Mizoram Leader Russian Army Now Bigger But Quality Has Decreased: NATO Official Russia, Ukraine Trade Aerial Attacks Amid Escalation Fears Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.