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FM puts blame on states for high petrol prices

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 2/21/2021 12:29:57 PM

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday batted for reduction in the petrol prices, putting the blame on the states for the high petrol prices because of the taxes they levy.
Yes, the Centre can also help by cutting down the central excise duty, she told reporters here in reply to a question but said the Centre has no control over the prices of petrol and diesel fixed by the oil marketing companies.
She described the continuous hike in the petrol and diesel prices as a "dharma sankat," saying the Centre and states need to figure out a way so that end price to the consumer or the retail price of fuel is at a reasonable level.
Sitharaman said: "It is a vexed issue. Whatever I may say will sound like I am avoiding the answer or shifting the blame. Fuel price rise is an issue in which no answer except for reducing the price would convince anyone."