AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, Oct 7 (TIWN): Opposition Congress has come up with immediate reactions of fuel price hikes since two days of Rs. 5 down in the price.

The Congress on Sunday said yet another rise in fuel prices had exposed the Modi governments "hypocrisy" and that the recent token cut on excise duty was an "electoral lollipop" for the voters in five states facing assembly elections.

"The latest raise in the petrol and diesel prices displays the utter hypocrisy of the Modi government. This only means that the so-called reduction was done only because elections in five states are to be announced and serve as an 'electoral lollipop'," Congress leader Pawan Khera told the media here.

"It clearly displays Modi government's duplicity - seeking to shamelessly take credit for a paltry excise duty cut and again prevailing upon oil marketing companies to increase the prices through back door," he said referring to the Centre's announcement on Thursday of a Rs 2.5 per litre cut in petrol and diesel prices.

"In the last two days, petrol prices in Delhi have been increased by 32 paise and diesel prices have been increased by 58 paise," Khera said.

Pointing to the fact that during Karnataka elections the fuel prices had remained unchanged for 17 days, Khera wondered if the prices were "truly deregulated". 

"Are petrol-diesel prices truly deregulated or is it that the government tweaks the prices when elections are around the corner," said the Congress leader pointing to the announcement of schedule for Assembly elections in five states.

The party reiterated its demand to bring in petroleum products under the ambit of Goods and Services Tax so as to "completely demolish the hypocrisy of credit seeking just before the electoral season".
 

On Sunday the petrol price reached at Rs. 78 again in Agartala, a more 13 paisa than of yesterday's price. Petrol prices in Agartala have been turning more volatile, as prices of crude oil have been showing a firm trend with today's petrol price in Agartala Rs. 78.00. The rupee has also moved lower against the dollar, which has made petrol prices in Agartala more expensive than before.

Talking to TIWN, Tripura opposition leader from Congress Gopal Roy, it has been reported that both Centre and State togther are reaping a huge benefit by taxing fuel.Gopal Roy said, Modi Govt's decision on fuel price down at Rs. 5 is "Not Satisfying", rather another "Jumla".The Congress leader has demanded to bring the price of petrol down at Rs. 60 by shashing the taxes.

"The State Govt is unnecessarily imposing 24% tax (4% raised by BJP Govt in last 7 months) whereas Central Govt imposed another 19% tax. If taxes of 12% by State Govt and 10% by Central Govt are being cut then the price will be downed at 60. In total now the fuel tax in Tripura is 43%", Gopal Roy told TIWN.