The Congress on Sunday accused the Centre of profiteering by “mercilessly” imposing taxes on fuel. In a statement, Congress general secretary (in charge, communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Centre can give relief to people from the rising prices by cutting the petrol and diesel rates by Rs 25-Rs 30 per litre through lowering the taxes to the level that existed under the previous UPA government and stop the ongoing “profiteering”.

“Our demand is that the Modi government reduce the prices of petrol and diesel by 35 per cent...so that they [people] get some relief from the back-breaking inflation,” he said. “Despite the low international crude oil prices, instead of giving its benefits to the people of the country, the Modi government is profiteering mercilessly by taxing petrol and diesel and selling cheap oil at a higher price,” he said.