Sikar: Rajasthan Minister Rajkumar Rinwa who is known for making absurd statements has asked the people of his state to consume less fuel if they feel the prices hikes are burning a hole in their pockets.

“When the rate of crude oil is soaring, why can’t people reduce their expenditure and consumption,” the minister asked.

Rinwa further said “whenever the price of a product rises in any country, automatically its consumption starts reducing.”

He asserted that the Centre has no control over prices of crude oil in the international market.

On Sunday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje announced a four-per cent reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, which will reduce their prices by Rs 2.5 per litre in the state.

Rinwa’s weird reasoning comes at a time when over 20 political parties are out on the streets today protesting against the rise in fuel prices in the country and depreciation of the rupee.

The minister had last year made strong remarks against politicians who according to him were criticizing the Indian Army. “There are politicians who are making statements on those who are protecting the country. The constitution should have laws that allow to chop down such politicians,” he had told news agency ANI.