Hike in prices of petroleum products necessary: Digvijay Singh

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said rising inflation is a major problem but it was necessary to hike prices of petroleum products because of the international situation.

"Rising inflation is a major problem and we are facing a lot of flak for it. But people should understand that in order to subsidise LPG, diesel and kerosene, the government is making huge allocations from its resources despite getting less revenue in comparison to the subsidy," he said while addressing the State Women's Congress Swayam Siddha Sammelan.

The government gets nearly Rs 85,000 crore as revenue on petroleum products, but pays about Rs 1.40 lakh crore on the subsidy front, he said, adding that the international situation is also considered in the increase in prices.

While states levy value added tax (VAT) on petroleum products to the tune of nearly Rs 1.10 lakh crore, they give zero subsidy on these products, he said.

Though states have been asked to subsidise these products from their own resources, no state government provides any relief to the people, except those ruled by Congress, he claimed.

He said due to this, only people in Congress-ruled states get six plus three (nine) LPG cylinders, while those in other states get only six LPG cylinders.

In Madhya Pradesh, there is maximum tax on petroleum products, as compared to other states.

"Women workers should explain these points to people in their respective areas," he said.

He also asked women workers to ensure that people get their allocated quota of five litres of kerosene per family on every ration card.

Singh said if women workers ensured that people get their due in their respective areas, then nobody would stop the Congress from coming back to power in the state.

He said the Congress workers must keep groupism at bay in their respective areas to ensure the party's victory in the 2013 polls.

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