‘Travesty of justice’: Former Petroleum Minister Moily on PM’s ‘reduce VAT’ on petrol, diesel remark

Mr. Moily said Prime Minister Modi should have addressed the issue of skyrocketing prices as the average consumer food price has increased by 100% between March 2021 and March 2022, according to numbers released by the NSO

Former Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his attack on the opposition-ruled States for not reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, saying his remarks amount to "travesty of justice" in light of the Centre not cutting excise duty.

The senior Congress leader also said the Prime Minister should have focused on COVID-related issues at the meeting with chief ministers called to discuss the pandemic situation in the country.

"Prime Minister Modi should have addressed the rehabilitation of COVID-19 victims, the loss of employment and the varying figures of reported COVID deaths in India as against the figures reported by WHO which has shocked the nation and the world," he said.

The clarity from no less than the Prime Minister of the country was necessary in light of reports of suppressed figures of COVID deaths, he argued.

"The statement of the Prime Minister on his call to opposition States to reduce VAT as against any semblance of reduction in excise duty by the Centre amounts to travesty of justice," Mr. Moily said.

He said Prime Minister Modi should have addressed the issue of skyrocketing prices as the average consumer food price has increased by 100% between March 2021 and March 2022, according to the All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the National Statistical Office.