NCP (SP) slams Centre over fuel price hike, terms it ‘economic exploitation’

The Opposition NCP (SP) on Monday targeted the Centre over skyrocketing petrol and diesel prices, alleging that the common public was being ''economically exploited'' while international crude benefits were withheld.

Talking to reporters, party spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the repeated increases in petrol and diesel prices were severely hitting farmers, transporters, and small businessmen already struggling with widespread inflation and unemployment.

Opposition parties have criticised the government as petrol and diesel prices rose by Rs 2.61-2.71 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks, as state-owned fuel retailers passed on rising international oil prices to consumers.

''Every time petrol and diesel prices rise, the burden falls on farmers, workers, small businessmen, transporters and middle-class families. Vegetable prices go up, transport costs increase, school fees rise, and household budgets collapse. The BJP government is making people pay heavily to survive,'' Tapase said.

He alleged that the Centre did not pass on the benefits of lower international crude oil prices to citizens and instead earned large revenues through excise duties and taxes.

''When crude oil prices were low globally, did the people get relief? No. The government collected crores from the public but gave nothing back to the citizens. Now, the moment international prices rise slightly, the entire burden is immediately passed on to the people. This is not governance - this is organised economic exploitation,'' he said.

The NCP (SP) leader further claimed that despite the global petroleum crisis, no public-sector oil company was facing losses because the burden had been shifted entirely onto consumers.

''There is no transparency, no accountability - only propaganda and public relations,'' he alleged.

Targeting the BJP-led government over inflation, Tapase said people were promised ''acche din'' (good days) but were instead facing rising fuel, LPG and food prices.

''Under the Narendra Modi government, every citizen is paying a 'BJP inflation tax' daily,'' he said, adding that the country does not need publicity campaigns and event management, but relief from inflation.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)