New Delhi: With the opposition cornering Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the rising fuel prices, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday defended the ruling dispensation stating over Rs 35,000 crores have been being spent on Covid-19 vaccines in a year and money is being saved for spending on welfare schemes in such dire times.
He, however, accepted that current fuel prices are problematic for the people.
“But be it the central/state government, over Rs 35,000 crores have been being spent on vaccines in a year... In such dire times, we are saving money to spend on welfare schemes,” ANI quoted Pradhan as saying.
The Union Minister’s remarks came as a united opposition has fired salvo at the government on the issue with former union finance minister and Congress veteran P. Chidambaram alleging the Centre is making profit via fuel price.
Chidambaram, who earlier participated in the demonstration against the fuel price hike at Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, said the petrol price should not be more than Rs 55 per litre given the international crude prices.
The Left Parties have also demanded the rollback of hike in petroleum products and announced a 15-day protest regarding the same.
Urging the Centre to control prices of essential commodities and drugs, the Left Parties in a joint statement on Sunday said “more assaults on people’s lives are being mounted by this relentless rise in prices of all essential commodities”.
“Left Parties All India anti price rise protests: June 16-30. ◆control prices of all essential commodities & drugs. ◆roll back hiked petroleum duties. ◆WPI 11year high. ◆Provide ₹7.5K/month cash transfers, 10kg food grains per month/person+food kit-pulses, edible oil, etc.,” tweeted CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury along with the joint statement.
The price of petrol has gone up to Rs 96.12 per litre in the national capital whereas diesel costs Rs 86.98 per litre in Delhi.
Likewise, the price of petrol has gone up Rs 102.30 per litre in fiscal capital Mumbai while diesel is priced at Rs 94.39 per litre.