Top Afternoon news at this hour | 22 May 2022

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed on Saturday that the government has decided to lower the Central Excise Duty on petrol by Rs 8 per litre and on diesel by Rs 6 per litre. Sitharaman further stated that the government will provide a subsidy of Rs 200 per gas cylinder (up to 12 cylinders) to nearly 9 crore Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries this year. Speaking about inflation under PM Modi government, Union Finanace Minister said, "Our government since when PM Modi took office, is devoted to the welfare of the poor. We’ve taken a number of steps to help the poor and middle class. As a result, the average inflation during our tenure has remained lower than during previous governments."