New Delhi: Amid the people and the opposition is angry with the government for failing to bring down the prices of fuel in the country, the Modi government has defended the hike in fuel prices stating that the government needs funds for resource generation in the country.
Rameshwar Teli, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, told in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the government is collecting excise duty on petrol and diesel for developing infrastructure.
The Minister who was giving reply on whether the government is contemplating reducing the duty charged by the centre on fuel.
It may be noted that the Opposition has been criticizing the government for allowing petroleum companies to increase the prices as per their whims and fancies which has become a major problem for common people. The price of each liter of petrol has increased to Rs. 100 in the country while diesel is almost close to Rs. 100 mark in several States.
When asked whether any steps were taken to check the rising prices of petrol and diesel, the Minister replied that since the prices are market driven, thus, the government has no control over it.
He indirectly put the onus on petroleum companies to bring down prices.
