Cong demands reduction of petrol, diesel prices in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken on Thursday said his party will begin a signature campaign at petrol pumps across the city to protest against the unprecedented rise in the prices of petrol and diesel.

"The party has decided to collect 10 lakh signatures to be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," he said.

Maken said the prices of petrol and diesel have reached record high prices, despite a sharp fall in the prices of crude oil in the international market, resulting in extra load on the backs of the common people.

He further said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) twice by making amendments in the law, which resulted in the rise in the prices of petrol and diesel.

As a result, the excise plus VAT increase on petrol was 104.42 per cent while taxes on diesel were pegged at 226.02 per cent.

Similarly, he said, the BJP-led Central Government increased the excise duty on petrol and diesel five times which resulted in the rise in the prices of petrol and diesel.

Maken said Delhi Congress will also hold a massive protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar on September 20 demanding roll back of the excise and VAT.