ஊரடங்கு தொடக்கத்தில் ரூ.72.28 இருந்த பெட்ரோல் இன்று ரூ.77.96; ரூ.65.71 இருந்த டீசல் ரூ.70.64 ஏழை - எளிய, நடுத்தர மக்களை கடுமையாகப் பாதித்து...

DMK president M.K. Stalin condemned the Union and state governments for continuously increasing the retail prices of petrol and diesel during the coronavirus lockdown. Stalin noted that while petrol stood at 72.28 rupees and diesel at 65.71 rupees per liter at the onset of restrictions, consecutive daily price revisions pushed petrol to 77.96 rupees and diesel to 70.64 rupees. Imposing extortionate fuel taxes when citizens were grappling with wage cuts, job losses, and widespread business closures represents an unconscionable assault on household finances.

Stalin pointed out that diesel price increases exert an immediate inflationary impact on freight transport, agricultural operations, and essential commodity prices. Higher fuel costs drive up grocery bills, vegetable rates, and public transport fares, burdening daily wage laborers, informal workers, and salaried middle-class families. When global crude oil prices plummeted internationally, responsible governments pass on savings to consumers rather than generating fiscal surpluses by burdening distressed working citizens.

Stalin demanded that central and state administrations immediately roll back recent excise duties and local value-added taxes on petroleum fuels. He urged authorities to extend genuine financial relief to vulnerable families instead of exacerbating economic distress through predatory taxation during a public health emergency.