CAG must audit how policies benefited private firms: Cong on fuel excise duty hike under Modi govt

Congress accuses government of looting people through increased excise duty on petrol and diesel, demands accountability and audits.

Accusing the government of "looting" people by increasing excise duty on petrol and diesel, the Congress on Sunday (April 13, 2025) called for fixing accountability and demanded that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit how government policies benefited private companies.

The Opposition party also demanded that the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigate whether there was deliberate negligence or collusion in this matter.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X stated, "The people of India are being looted — on one hand, the Modi government is increasing the tax burden and picking people's pockets, while on the other hand, private and government oil companies are making profits! This is open economic exploitation!''

"The truth is: In May 2014, the excise duty on petrol was ₹9.20 and on diesel ₹3.46. Under the Modi government, this has risen to ₹19.90 on petrol and ₹15.80 on diesel — an increase of 357% and 54%, respectively!" he said in his post in Hindi.

The Congress leader claimed that the government earned ₹39.54 lakh crore from the petroleum sector over the last eleven years but failed to give any relief to people.

"In May 2014, crude oil was $108/barrel, today it is only $65.31 — i.e. 40% cheaper, yet the prices of petrol and diesel are higher than the UPA era," Mr. Ramesh said.

"In 2014, petrol in Delhi was ₹71.41 and diesel ₹55.49 per litre. Today the same petrol is ₹94.77 and diesel ₹87.67 per litre — the public is being openly looted. Who is benefiting?" he asked.