• As soon as the news of a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel came, ministers and leaders of the ruling party began praising the decision. Video statements are being released alongside social media posts. A minister and member of parliament said that on behalf of the entire public, he wants to thank the Prime Minister because taking such a major step during such a difficult time… a war is ongoing in the region from where our gas and petroleum products come, and yet taking such a big step is no ordinary move. The Prime Minister has shown concern that the common Indian should not face hardship. We have spoken to many people, and everyone said to thank the Prime Minister. On this, an opposition party leader made a sarcastic remark. The opposition MP said that the government is not giving money from its own pocket.

    Excise duty on petrol has been reduced from 13 rupees to 3 rupees, and on diesel from 10 rupees to 0. The minister said that the common man can also understand how little oil and gas production happens in our country. We are dependent on other countries. Everyone needs gas in daily life, everyone needs petrol. To ensure prices do not rise in any way, to keep prices under control, such a big decision… the duty is so low you cannot even imagine.

    ‘A major decision… thank the PM’

    Praising the PM’s decision, he said that our MPs will also welcome it. A gift for the public… such a major decision the Prime Minister has taken in the interest of the public. All MPs would want to thank the PM. This message should go to everyone from Parliament. Several ministers, including the Petroleum Minister and the Finance Minister, have made similar statements praising the PM.

    Meanwhile, when asked by journalists in the Parliament premises, the opposition MP said that he has seen the Petroleum Minister’s statement. The revenue that comes to the government comes from people’s pockets. The government’s revenue comes from the taxes people pay. If the government has reduced excise duty, it is not giving money from its own pocket.

    Why such a show? Opposition MP asked

    The MP said that the Petroleum Minister’s statement makes it seem as if he is taking money out of his own pocket to give. The MP said a very unusual situation persists in the world. If the government has reduced excise duty, what is the need to make such a show of it.

    ‘If you think your pocket got relief, you are wrong’

    An opposition party spokesperson wrote that if you saw headlines about a ‘drop’ in petrol and diesel prices and thought the government gave relief to your pocket, you are wrong. So far, prices for dealers and customers remain the same. What has actually been reduced is the ‘Special Additional Excise Duty’, a tax that oil marketing companies pay to the government. The words ‘Special’ and ‘Additional’ themselves indicate how unnecessary this tax is.

    He further said that oil marketing companies have been incurring losses since the conflict began in West Asia. The government has now only agreed to share a small part of that burden. That too by reducing the ‘Special Additional’ tax, and that too nearly a month later. The government should focus on giving real relief to customers.

    Parliament premises

    The Parliament premises, often known as the Houses of Parliament or the Palace of Westminster in London, is the meeting place of the UK’s two parliamentary houses. Originally a royal palace, the majority of the current Gothic Revival structure was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1834, with its iconic clock tower, Big Ben, becoming a global symbol. It stands on a site with over a thousand years of political history, representing the heart of British constitutional democracy.