Petrol and diesel prices in India are the highest in three years. Citizens are paying exorbitant prices for fuel despite crude prices going down.
The outrage isn’t just about the steep hike in recent month but also the amount of taxes the government has levied on fuel. While petrol does not come under GST, the Centre levies excise duty while VAT is imposed by states, which contributes to the variation in price.
Several took to Twitter to hit out at the BJP-led Union government for failing to control the spiralling price of fuel, while others wondered where were the ‘achhe din’ that was promised.
Govt refusing to cut excise duty on Petrol - Diesel, now fuel burning towards life time high level. #fuelpricehike #FuelShock
— HJ (@hjasti) September 13, 2017
Oil prices in international market reduced by 54% but in India the scenario is totally opposite Is this ache din we were promised#FuelShock
— arindam barthakur (@arinzdeadzone) September 13, 2017
Demonetisation is a mess
— Aditya (@vizagobelix) September 13, 2017
GST is a mess
Clean Ganga is a mess
Aadhaar linkage is a mess
Fuel pricing is a mess
Let's add another cess
#FuelPriceHike no one cares about the common man's woes. Keep squeezing life blood out of citizens https://t.co/Wv4xateBr5
— meenakshibhanja1 (@minakshibhanja1) September 14, 2017
Mourn for minute for those who gave up their LPG subsidy and now find gaping holes burned in their pockets#FuelLootSarkar #petrolPrice
— Juzar Vora (@JuzarKVora) September 15, 2017
Others called the high taxes on fuel a ‘loot’.
As per price of crude oil in international Market, Petrol prices shouldn't be crossing Rs. 30 inclusive of 15% Govt. Profit. It's loot.
— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) September 14, 2017
'Technical reasons' would have been a better jumla mantri ji. There is no justification for this loot. Stop blaming other things.
— Ankur Bhardwaj (@Bhayankur) September 13, 2017
There were users, however, who made a joke or two of the situation, at their own expense.
High petrol price will force people to walk. Walking burns calories & helps getting rid of excess fat. Haters don't want healthy lifestyle.
— Catty. (@CatWomaniya) September 15, 2017
Memes such as these have also been doing the rounds on social media platforms such as WhatsApp.
.jpg)