Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has called on the central government to immediately roll back the recent hikes in petrol, diesel, and LPG prices. He accused the Modi-led government of making life harder for the common people through constant increases in fuel costs.
In a letter to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, KTR criticised the Centre’s policies. He said fuel prices in India are now among the highest in the world, even compared to countries like Bhutan, Pakistan, and financially struggling Sri Lanka.
KTR pointed out that international crude oil prices have fallen, yet fuel prices in India continue to rise. He accused the Centre of taking advantage of citizens by imposing heavy taxes. “Is this the ‘Achche Din’ (good days) that were promised?” he asked.
He also claimed that the central government is using special taxes, known as cesses, that are not shared with States. This, he said, is hurting States financially and undermines the idea of cooperative federalism. According to KTR, States like Telangana are being denied their fair share of revenue, while the Centre collects large sums.
KTR strongly criticised the slogan ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’, saying it has turned into ‘Maximum Taxation, Minimum Relief’. He said the Centre is using the money collected through taxes to control the States instead of helping them with development.
He also raised concerns about the high price of LPG cylinders, which have crossed Rs 1,100 each. He said this has especially affected poor and middle-class women. He called the Ujjwala Yojana, a scheme meant to provide free gas connections, a “cruel joke” because many beneficiaries can no longer afford to refill their cylinders and are forced to cook with firewood again.
KTR reminded that even when global crude prices were over $100 a barrel in the past, fuel prices in India were lower than they are now. He questioned whether this is the “Achche Din” that was promised, where the middle class struggles with loans and fuel bills, the poor face tough choices, and States lose their financial freedom.
