New Delhi: Indian National Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has alleged that the Narendra Modi-led central government collected nearly ₹43 lakh crore through taxes on petrol and diesel over the last 11 years, calling it “tax extortion” on the public.
In a press release, Surjewala said petrol was priced at ₹71.41 per litre and diesel at ₹56.71 in 2014. According to him, petrol prices in Delhi have now risen to ₹102.92 per litre and diesel to ₹90.99.
He claimed that despite global crude oil prices remaining lower than 2014 levels, fuel prices in India have continued to rise, alleging that the BJP government was “looting” the public through high taxation.
Surjewala stated that between 2014 and 2025, the average excise duty imposed was ₹21.60 per litre on petrol and ₹12.80 on diesel, making taxes a major component of fuel prices paid by consumers.
He further alleged that the central government revised excise duty 21 times during the period, increasing it on 12 occasions. Raising fuel prices immediately after elections, he claimed, reflected a “planned move” by the government.
The Congress leader also pointed to rising cooking and transport fuel costs, noting that CNG prices have recently increased by ₹2 per kg.
He said domestic LPG cylinder prices, which stood at ₹414 in 2014, have risen to ₹915.50 in 2026, while commercial LPG prices have also seen a steep hike. According to the release, the price of a 5-kg LPG cylinder in Bengaluru has increased by ₹21.50 since May 1, reaching ₹340.
