By The Sampadak Express
The Union Government has increased the excise duty on both petrol and diesel by ₹2 per litre, with the revised rates set to take effect from April 8, 2025. As per the notification, the excise duty on petrol has been raised to ₹13 per litre, while the duty on diesel now stands at ₹10 per litre.
Despite the hike in excise duty, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has confirmed that the retail prices of petrol and diesel will not change. According to a statement on social media platform X, “PSU Oil Marketing Companies have informed that there will be no increase in retail prices of Petrol and Diesel, subsequent to the increase in Excise Duty Rates today.”
The excise duty increase is being implemented under the provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944, and the Finance Act, 2002, in what the government describes as a move made in the public interest.
Congress Slams Government Over Excise Duty Hike
The announcement has sparked sharp criticism from the opposition. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the government’s decision, accusing it of exploiting the public despite falling global crude oil prices. In a post on X, Kharge pointed out that international crude prices had dropped by 41% compared to May 2014, yet the government chose to raise the excise duty rather than reduce fuel prices.
Kharge wrote, “Wow Modi Ji Wow!! The international crude oil prices have fallen by 41% as compared to May 2014, but your plundering government, instead of reducing the prices of petrol and diesel, has increased the Central Excise Duty by ₹2 each.”
He further criticized the government for its handling of the stock market and economic policies, accusing it of adding insult to injury. “You must not have been satisfied after the small and big investors in the stock market lost ₹19 lakh crores in one go due to the deep ‘Kumbhakaran-like’ sleep on the tariff policy, that your government has come to rub salt into the wounds!” Kharge added.
The government’s move has certainly stirred a debate, with the opposition calling it an unfair burden on the common people.
