The Crossbill News Desk
The Congress on Sunday (April 13) launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, accusing it of “looting” the public by significantly increasing excise duties on petrol and diesel over the past decade.
The party demanded that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit how these policies may have disproportionately benefited private oil companies and called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) into possible negligence or collusion.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Centre had burdened ordinary citizens while enabling massive profits for both public and private oil companies.
“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 Rs 9.20 and on diesel Rs 3.46. It is now Rs 19.90 on petrol and Rs 15.80 on diesel under the Modi government — an increase of 357% and 357%, respectively!,” he wrote on X.
The Congress leader claimed that the government has earned Rs 39.54 lakh crore from the petroleum sector over the last 11 years, but has failed to pass on any benefit to the people.
“In May 2014, crude oil was priced at USD 108 per barrel; today, it is only USD 65.31 — approximately 40% cheaper. Yet, petrol and diesel prices are higher than they were during the UPA era,” he added.
Ramesh pointed out that despite a substantial fall in global crude oil prices since 2014 — from $108 per barrel then to about $65 today — domestic fuel prices remain significantly higher.
“In 2014, petrol in Delhi was Rs 71.41 and diesel was Rs 55.49 per litre. Today, the same petrol is Rs 94.77 and diesel is Rs 87.67 per litre — the public is being openly looted. Who is benefiting?” he asked, alleging that oil companies, including private refiners, are making windfall profits from refining and marketing.
Calling the matter “serious,” Ramesh demanded a CAG audit to determine how policy decisions benefited private oil players.
“The issue is serious! The CAG should audit how government policies benefited these private companies. The CVC and CBI should investigate whether there was deliberate negligence or collusion in this,” he asserted.
“Public money needs to be accounted for — accountability must be fixed,” he said, sharing a media report suggesting that oil firms have profited immensely while retail prices remain high.
The Congress has consistently criticized the government over fuel price hikes. Earlier this month, former party president Rahul Gandhi slammed the latest Rs 2 per litre hike in excise duty on both petrol and diesel, calling it another example of “government loot.”
Despite global crude prices falling, the government raised excise duty on petrol to Rs 13 and on diesel to Rs 10 per litre last week, triggering widespread criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups.
The party demanded that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit how these policies may have disproportionately benefited private oil companies and called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) into possible negligence or collusion.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Centre had burdened ordinary citizens while enabling massive profits for both public and private oil companies.
“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 Rs 9.20 and on diesel Rs 3.46. It is now Rs 19.90 on petrol and Rs 15.80 on diesel under the Modi government — an increase of 357% and 357%, respectively!,” he wrote on X.
The Congress leader claimed that the government has earned Rs 39.54 lakh crore from the petroleum sector over the last 11 years, but has failed to pass on any benefit to the people.
“In May 2014, crude oil was priced at USD 108 per barrel; today, it is only USD 65.31 — approximately 40% cheaper. Yet, petrol and diesel prices are higher than they were during the UPA era,” he added.
Ramesh pointed out that despite a substantial fall in global crude oil prices since 2014 — from $108 per barrel then to about $65 today — domestic fuel prices remain significantly higher.
भारत की जनता लूटी जा रही है — मोदी सरकार द्वारा एक तरफ़ टैक्स का बोझ बढ़ाकर जहां जनता की जेब काट रही है, वहीं दूसरी तरफ़ प्राइवेट व सरकारी तेल कंपनियां मुनाफ़ा कमा रही हैं!
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 13, 2025
यह खुला आर्थिक शोषण है!
सच्चाई यह है :
1. मई 2014 में पेट्रोल पर एक्साइज ड्यूटी ₹9.20 और डीज़ल पर… pic.twitter.com/1JAYmNVUa7
“In 2014, petrol in Delhi was Rs 71.41 and diesel was Rs 55.49 per litre. Today, the same petrol is Rs 94.77 and diesel is Rs 87.67 per litre — the public is being openly looted. Who is benefiting?” he asked, alleging that oil companies, including private refiners, are making windfall profits from refining and marketing.
Calling the matter “serious,” Ramesh demanded a CAG audit to determine how policy decisions benefited private oil players.
“The issue is serious! The CAG should audit how government policies benefited these private companies. The CVC and CBI should investigate whether there was deliberate negligence or collusion in this,” he asserted.
“Public money needs to be accounted for — accountability must be fixed,” he said, sharing a media report suggesting that oil firms have profited immensely while retail prices remain high.
The Congress has consistently criticized the government over fuel price hikes. Earlier this month, former party president Rahul Gandhi slammed the latest Rs 2 per litre hike in excise duty on both petrol and diesel, calling it another example of “government loot.”
Despite global crude prices falling, the government raised excise duty on petrol to Rs 13 and on diesel to Rs 10 per litre last week, triggering widespread criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups.
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