Srinagar, Nov 5: CPI (M) Politburo Friday said that the cut in central excise duty of Rs 5 per litre of petrol and Rs 10 per litre of diesel announced by the Centre was only “token reduction” and would provide no relief to the people.
A statement of CPI (M) Politburo issued here said that since central excise alone amounts to Rs 33 per litre of petrol and Rs 32 per litre of diesel, this was only a marginal cut and would not lessen the burden of exorbitant fuel price on the economy and the people.
“It is only a knee-jerk reaction to the adverse results of the by-elections in some states for the BJP,” the CPI (M) Politburo statement said.
It said that the only way that fuel prices could be maintained at reasonable levels was to effect a substantial cut in excise duties and do away with the special cess imposed on fuel.
The CPI (M) Politburo appealed to all its units to continue with the protests against price rise of petrol and diesel as called for by the Central Committee meeting in October.