Chandigarh: The recent increase in fuel prices has ignited a political controversy in Punjab, with the Congress party accusing the BJP-led central government of adding to the woes of citizens already grappling with inflation. Targeting the Centre, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that the government first advises people to reduce car usage, then launches public relations campaigns highlighting smaller Prime Ministerial convoys, and has now quietly raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre.
Warring questions Centre's motives
"Was this the real script behind the drama?" Warring asked, questioning the government's intentions. He claimed that the price hike would directly impact farmers, truck operators, and middle-class families, while also driving up the prices of essential commodities. "The truth is simple: BJP does not reduce inflation; it manages headlines. 'Abki Baar, Petrol Rs 100 Paar'," he remarked sarcastically.
Randhawa also attacks Centre
Former Punjab deputy chief minister and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also criticized the Centre over the increase in prices of petrol, diesel, CNG, and cooking gas. He alleged that amid rising tensions in West Asia and after the conclusion of elections, the government has once again burdened the people by increasing LPG, petrol, and diesel prices, triggering another wave of inflation.
Randhawa pointed out that despite consistently low international crude oil prices, the Centre failed to provide relief to the public and instead continued to collect heavy taxes. He claimed that over the past 12 years, the government had focused not on easing the burden on ordinary citizens but on "emptying their pockets."
Randhawa urges Punjab government to reduce VAT
He added that people suffering due to inflation, unemployment, and heavy taxation have now understood "the anti-people policies of the central government." Randhawa urged the Punjab government to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 each to provide relief to the people. He warned that if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government fails to immediately reduce VAT, it would become clear that both the Centre and the Punjab government are jointly burdening the people with inflation.
