The Congress said on Friday it would launch a nationwide agitation against the “draconian” increase in central excise duty on petrol and diesel, alleging it has led to a steep hike in their prices.
Accusing the BJP government of “looting” the common people and “profiteering” at their expense, Congress’s senior spokesperson Ajay Maken said the party would continue its fight “until this draconian taxation regime is withdrawn”.
He claimed that in every 100 rupees of petrol, Rs 51.78 was in taxes and Rs 44.40 for diesel.
He demanded a white paper on taxes imposed on fuels and the gains made by the government, and said the party would agitate across the country.
The agitation would start on September 20 from the national capital.