New Delhi: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday alleged that the Centre “taunted” chief ministers of states and Union Territories in the recent meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi, reported news agency ANI.
"The Chief Ministers were told that PM Modi would hold a meeting on COVID-19 situation in the country. Instead, PM Modi taunted the Chief Ministers of non-BJP states regarding petrol and diesel prices. It's not right. PM Modi was not expected to do so but CMs Uddhav Thackeray and Mamata Banerjee have given the answer," he said to reporters today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday had held a Covid-19 review meeting with Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories. During the meeting, the PM appealed to the non-BJP-ruled states to reduce tax on fuel.
Raut’s comment comes a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Centre saying that the state governments can’t be held responsible for fuel price hike.
"Today, in the price of one litre of diesel in Mumbai, Rs 24.38 is for the Centre and Rs 22.37 is for the state. In petrol price, 31.58 paise is central tax and 32.55 paise is state tax. Therefore, it is not a fact that petrol and diesel have become more expensive due to the state," Thackeray said after attending the meeting with the PM virtually.
"Maharashtra collects the highest GST of 15 per cent in the country. Combining both direct taxes and GST, Maharashtra is the number one state in the country," he said further.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel were amongst those present in the Covid-19 review meeting.