Too late, says Shiv Sena on cut in petro, diesel prices

The Narendra Modi government's decision to slash the soaring prices of petrol and diesel had come "too late", the Shiv Sena said Friday and claimed that the Centre had mopped up Rs 1 lakh crore per day when the fuel rates were being hiked daily.

The government on Thursday announced a Rs 2.50 per litre cut in petrol and diesel prices by reducing excise duty and asking PSU oil firms to take a hit of Rs 9,000 crore and asked BJP-ruled states to slash VAT so as to double the reduction in retail rates.

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"The decision by the Centre and the Maharashtra government to reduce fuel prices has come too late. The increase in fuel prices daily in the past has led to a deposit of Rs 1 lakh crore everyday in the country's coffer," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana.

The Shiv Sena also came down heavily on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his reported remark that he was "ready to mortgage the state in Dr B R Ambedkar's service".

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If the Centre grants Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore out of the mopped up funds for the memorial of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji and Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief minister would not have to mortgage the state, the Sena said in a move against Fadnavis.

(With inputs from agencies)