P Chidambaram Terms Rs 2.50 Cut In Petrol And Diesel Prices As ‘Tokenism’

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has described as “tokenism” the government announcement of Rs 2.50 per litre price cut on petrol and diesel. He said that the government had belatedly realised the “unbearable burden” on people,

“An oil revenue dependent government has belatedly realised the unbearable burden on the people and indulged in tokenism,” he said in a tweet.

An oil revenue dependent government has belatedly realised the unbearable burden on the people and indulged in tokenism. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 4, 2018

Earlier, the Congress demanded petrol and diesel to be brought under GST calling the cut “a panic reaction in the face of public anger” ahead of assembly polls in four states.

In a relief to consumers hit hard by the unrelenting rise in fuel prices, the government on Thursday cut petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2.50 per litre.

Following the Centre’s decision, many BJP-ruled states followed suit and cut the tax on the fuels by an equivalent amount.