He (Modi) earned Rs 26 lakh crore out of central excise on petrol and diesel. Has he shared it? You didn't give GST share to states on time and then you ask states to further reduce VAT. He should reduce central excise and then ask others to reduce VAT,"

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Digital Desk: Several Congress leaders slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday after he appealed to states to reduce VAT on fuel prices that have skyrocketed in recent weeks. Pawan Khera claimed the center 'earned Rs 26 lakh crore' from relentless hikes in petrol and diesel prices last year and this year. Since the hikes were suspended in the run-up to the elections, Khera demanded further reductions in central excise rates.

"He (Modi) earned Rs 26 lakh crore out of central excise on petrol and diesel. Has he shared it? You didn't give GST share to states on time and then you ask states to further reduce VAT. He should reduce central excise and then ask others to reduce VAT," said Pawan Khera.

Deepender S Hooda, a Congress leader, claimed that the center was evading its duties on the fuel price hike. "Haryana (where the BJP is in power) has the highest VAT on petrol and diesel. Fuel prices rise if prices in international markets increase, but farmers don't get increased MSP on wheat...", he alleged.

Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has also joined the chorus of disapproval.

It's all politics at the COVID meeting! The government earned 26 lakh crore out of fuel excise. The GST share to states remains unpaid... states' compensation component removed... and now we're pointing fingers," she tweeted.