Congress calls fuel hikes “silent tax on households”, accuses govt of “corporate protection racket”
Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge wrote in a post on
Questioning the government’s appeal to patriotic sentiments in the face of rising fuel prices, Kharge said citizens were asked to make sacrifices but basic problems such as unemployment, falling incomes and economic mismanagement were not addressed.
Read more: ‘Was it an election or a mockery?’: Mamata Banerjee alleges rigging in Bengal polls, says TMC will cross 200 seats
Congress MP Manickam Tagore looked at historical price increases by comparing crude oil prices with UPA-era prices. Tagore said that despite low oil prices in 2016, excise taxes were increased by Rs 11 per litre, but now the people are suffering losses.
“Crude oil was cheaper than in 2014. Oil was 43% more expensive. When oil CRASHED in 2016, the government increased excise duty by ₹11 per liter and kept it forever. When oil companies made PROFIT for 7 days – price increase in 7 hours. When public suffered losses for 7 MONTHS – silence,” Tagore wrote in X.
Targeting the Prime Minister, he further said: “Modi does not work for you. He works for the IOC meeting halls and refineries. This is not an oil crisis. This is a CORPORATE PROTECTION RACK.” Tagore also provided comparative figures, claiming that in 2014, crude oil was priced at US$ 114 per barrel, in India oil was around Rs 72 per litre, and in 2016, when crude oil fell to US$ 26, oil was around this price. 64 rupees per litre. He added that oil prices have risen to 103 rupees per liter by 2026, with crude oil at $97 per barrel.
Gasoline and diesel prices rose once again on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks due to continued volatility in global crude oil markets and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Following the latest revision, petrol prices in Delhi increased by Rs 2.61 to Rs 102.12, while diesel prices increased by Rs 2.71 to Rs 95.20 per liter. Similar increases were seen in major metropolitan cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, increasing the burden on consumers and transport operators.
In Kolkata, petrol prices increased by Rs 2.87 to Rs 113.51 per litre, while diesel prices rose by Rs 2.80 to Rs 99.82 per litre. In Mumbai, petrol has become Rs 2.72 more expensive and is now priced at Rs 111.21 per litre, while diesel has gone up by Rs 2.81 to Rs 97.83 per litre. In Chennai, petrol prices increased by Rs 2.46 to Rs 107.77 per litre, while diesel prices increased by Rs 2.57 to Rs 99.55 per litre.
The repeated fuel price increases come amid sustained pressure on oil marketing companies due to rising global crude oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations and concerns about supply disruptions linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia.
Instability in the region and its impact on global oil supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor through which a significant portion of global crude oil shipments pass, remains a significant concern. Any disruption or perceived threat to the region usually leads to a sharp increase in international oil prices.
Continued increases in gasoline, diesel and CNG prices are expected to further increase logistics and transportation costs, potentially creating a cascading impact on retail inflation and impacting household budgets as well as commercial transportation sectors across the country.
