Telangana IT Minister K. Tarakarama Rao has written a letter to the BJP-led Union government demanding an apology for the high fuel prices. He accused the government of looting the public by using international crude oil prices as an excuse for the price hike. KTR pointed out that in 2013, when the cost of one crude oil barrel was $110, the cost of one-litre petrol was Rs. 76. However, now, when the cost of one crude oil barrel is $66, the cost of one-litre petrol is Rs. 110. He added that due to the 45% hike in fuel prices since 2014, all essential commodities became costlier, and the poor and middle-class public were being fleeced to benefit a few corporates.
KTR also stated that due to the rise in diesel prices, state governments were forced to increase public transport charges, and the public transport system is on the brink of a crisis because of the central government. The inflation is also at a 45-year high due to the failures of the union government. KTR wondered why the centre wasn’t passing on the benefits of importing crude oil at lower prices from Russia to the common man and only two oil companies were reaping huge profits. He accused the centre of hiding this key information from the public and reducing windfall tax on fuel to benefit some corporate companies.
KTR questioned why the LPG cylinder price, which is under GST, had been hiked from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1200, making it the costliest LPG cylinder in the world. He also accused the central government of conspiring to stop discussion on the price rise in parliament. KTR urged people to reject the BJP as it was the only way to stop the loot of the central government and reduce fuel prices.
