Hyderabad: Telangana BJP chief N. Ramchander Rao welcomed the Centre’s recent fuel price reduction, calling it a pro-people decision that offers relief to consumers. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking timely action amid rising global crude oil prices.
Rao said the excise duty cut had reduced petrol prices by Rs.10 per litre, while diesel prices remained unchanged. Therefore, he described the move as a significant step to ease financial pressure on households.
BJP welcomes move, targets state tax policy
At the same time, Rao criticised the Telangana government led by A. Revanth Reddy over high value added tax (VAT) rates on fuel. He argued that VAT, estimated at around 35%, continues to burden consumers despite the Centre’s intervention.
Moreover, he said the state had not taken adequate steps to pass on similar benefits. As a result, consumers in Telangana are not experiencing the full impact of the relief.
VAT debate intensifies after price reduction
The fuel price cut Telangana has triggered a wider debate over taxation policies. Rao urged the state government to reduce VAT and bring petrol prices below Rs.100 per litre.
He maintained that lowering state taxes would provide immediate relief to the public. In addition, he stressed that coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state are essential for stabilising fuel prices.
Call for coordinated action
Rao further accused the state government of prioritising revenue over public welfare. However, he emphasised that reducing VAT would help ease the burden on citizens.
He added that if both levels of government act together, consumers will benefit more effectively. Overall, the fuel price cut Telangana has not only provided partial relief but also sparked a political debate on taxation and governance.
