Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala denounced the Union government for what they termed as extensive taxation on petrol and diesel over the past 11 years. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Surjewala claimed that the Centre had amassed Rs 43 lakh crore from petrol and diesel taxes since 2014, averaging close to Rs 1,000 crore daily. Despite a recent excise duty reduction on fuel, the leaders asserted that the relief would not benefit the public but rather favor private oil companies.
Fuel prices have remained high, the Chief Minister pointed out, despite a drop in global crude oil rates. Siddaramaiah highlighted the significant increase in petrol and diesel prices in Bengaluru since 2014, emphasizing that they should be lower based on international crude oil costs. The Union government’s imposition of substantial excise duties on fuel, averaging Rs 19.70 per litre on petrol and Rs 15.50 per litre on diesel from 2014 to 2025, was criticized as a means of revenue generation.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar accused the Centre of frequently adjusting excise duties, with 21 revisions, including 12 hikes, occurring over the years. He alleged a pattern of fuel price hikes following elections, citing examples post the 2014, 2019, and 2022 polls. Expressing concerns over potential fuel price escalations, he warned of further increases after upcoming state elections and demanded relief for the public from the government.
