Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted the Union government’s desire to bring petrol and diesel within the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST), criticizing the Congress for what she deemed “double standards” on the issue. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the central government have consistently supported bringing petroleum products under the GST, emphasizing the potential benefits for the public.

Call for Consistent Support

Sitharaman called attention to the BJP’s ongoing advocacy for including petrol and diesel in the GST regime, highlighting its positive implications for the people. She urged Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has expressed a similar viewpoint, to align the state governments of Congress with this stance in the GST Council.

Challenging Congress’s Stance

The Finance Minister urged the media to scrutinize the Congress’s stance, emphasizing the need for consistency in its position on bringing petrol and diesel under GST. She questioned the party’s commitment to the cause and suggested that if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra supports the move, she should actively pursue agreement from Congress-led state governments.

Global Conflicts and Economic Impact

Addressing concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict’s impact on the country’s economy, Sitharaman acknowledged the potential influence of global conflicts on crude oil prices. She assured that the government has been vigilant in monitoring the situation, pointing out that India has imported cost-effective crude oil from Russia amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Government’s Measures Against Inflation

Sitharaman highlighted the government’s proactive measures to control inflation, citing ongoing efforts to manage prices of essential commodities like tomatoes, flour, and pulses. She contrasted this with the previous Congress government’s record, stating that food inflation remained above 10% for 22 months without effective control measures.