Sat Apr 19 09:52:10 UTC 2025: ## Congress Slams Modi Government’s Fuel Excise Duty Hike as “Tax Terrorism”
**Chennai, April 19, 2025** – Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai today condemned the recent ₹2 per litre increase in excise duty on petrol and diesel by the central government, calling it a blatant example of “Modi government’s tax terrorism.”
Selvaperunthagai highlighted a sharp increase in excise duty since the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government left office in 2014. He stated that excise duty on petrol has risen by 357% and on diesel by 54% since then. He contrasted this with the UPA government’s policy of reducing fuel prices when international crude oil prices fell and providing subsidies, even when crude oil reached $110 per barrel.
The TNCC president further criticized the government for collecting ₹39.54 lakh crore in taxes on petrol and diesel between 2014 and 2025, despite a 40% drop in crude oil prices since 2014. He characterized this as a clear example of an anti-people policy.
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