Is the government primarily responsible for high fuel prices?
Amit Kumar
👍 FOR
Vikram Singh
👎 AGAINST
Debate Transcript – 5 exchanges
When global crude dropped to historic lows in 2020, the government raised excise duties to pocket the savings. That decision directly causes today's high prices. The consumer never benefited from the dip.
India imports 85% of its crude. When Brent crude rose from $50 to $90+, there's limited room to subsidise. The government did cut excise by ₹5 in May 2022.
₹5 cut after raising by ₹13 during COVID is not meaningful relief. And state governments – some from the same ruling party – also refuse to reduce VAT. It's a double standard.
Fair point on double standard. But revenues from fuel taxes fund national highways, defence, and welfare schemes. Blindly cutting taxes could affect these programmes.
Then bring fuel under GST to create a competitive, transparent market. Oil PSUs posted record profits last year. Some of that should be passed to consumers.
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