The recent electoral victories have given the BJP “a licence to loot”, the Congress alleged on Saturday as the party gave a break-up of additional taxes to the tune of ₹1.25 lakh crore that have burdened the common people in the new financial year.
“Price rise is now the biggest challenge to the sustenance of every individual, as it is attacking the lives and livelihood of every household,” party general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said at a press conference.
From fuel to fertilisers, esssential medicines to home construction material, everything has become expensive, the Congress leader said.
“The prices of petrol and diesel have gone up by ₹7.20/litre across India with 10 hikes in the past 12 days,” Mr Surjewala said, adding, “It’s like a daily Good Morning gift”.
Citing data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the government, the Congress leader said the consumption of petrol last year (2020-21) was 27,969 thousand metric tonnes and with a hike of ₹7.20 per litre, the additional annual burden on the people stands at ₹20,138 crore. For diesel, at last year’s consumption levels, the additional burden would be ₹52,353 crore.
Similary, the extra burden from the increase in the price of LPG is ₹27,095 crore; compressed natural is ₹1,400 crore and piped natural gas is ₹961.20 crore, the Congress said.
Fertilisers turn dear
Mr. Surjewala alleged that the government is taxing 62 crore farmers by raising the price of DAP fertilizer by ₹150 per bag that creates an additonal burden of ₹3,600 crore and ₹110 for every 50kg pack of NPKS fertilizer that puts an additional burden of ₹3,740 crore.
The Congress spokesperson said that nearly 800 medicines have seen a nearly 11% per cent hike and prices of essential medicines, be it for COVID or other ailments, have gone up.
On the other hand, Mr Surjewala said, tax deductions on home loan interest up to ₹1.5 lakh per year under Section 80EEA of the Income Tax Act has been withdrawn and even retirement benefits have been hit as interest on Provident Fund contributions over ₹2.5 lakh will be taxed.
Building materials, white goods, cars and third party insurance have also become costlier, he added.
“There is not a single sphere of a citizen’s life, where prices have not increased. The Modi Government remains responsible for this theft,” Mr. Surjewala alleged.
