Congress questions excise duty cut narrative, says relief is ‘people’s own money being returned’
The recent cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel has sparked a political debate, with Manoj Singh criticizing the Central Government for presenting the move as a major achievement rather than a routine fiscal adjustment.
By NSB.News
Speaking in New Delhi, Manoj Singh said the government is portraying the excise duty reduction as a significant relief measure, while in reality it is simply returning a fraction of the taxes collected from citizens.
Referring to a statement by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Singh said the move is being projected as an act of generosity, which he termed misleading.
He stated,
“Every rupee the government spends comes from the hard-earned money of the people. Presenting the excise duty cut as generosity is an attempt to misrepresent facts.”
Manoj Singh further pointed out that in 2014, when the Indian National Congress was in power, excise duties on petrol and diesel were significantly lower compared to current levels. He alleged that taxes were sharply increased over the years, leading to substantial revenue collection, and now a partial rollback is being highlighted as a major relief.
He also raised concerns over the broader economic situation, noting that citizens are grappling with inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs. According to him, while it is the government’s duty to provide relief in such times, turning that relief into political messaging is inappropriate.
Conclusion:
Manoj Singh emphasized that governance should be rooted in transparency, accountability, and sensitivity towards citizens. He reiterated that tax revenue belongs to the people and must be utilized for public welfare, not for claiming political credit.