Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) has called on the Central government to quickly reverse the recent increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG, according to an official press release. KTR claims that the BJP government’s relentless hikes in gasoline prices are causing instability in the lives of Indian residents.

According to the release, KTR criticised the Centre’s policies in a letter to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, claiming that India has surpassed even Bhutan, Pakistan, and economically struggling Sri Lanka as one of the most expensive countries in the world for gasoline.

The KTR office released a statement that states, “KTR accused the Centre of exploiting citizens through excessive taxation, pointing out the paradox of rising domestic fuel prices despite a significant decline in international crude oil rates.” “Even as global crude prices drop, the Central government continues to jack up fuel costs.” He said forcefully, “Is this the ‘Achche Din’ they promised?” He denounced as a violation of cooperative federalism the Centre’s use of unshareable cesses, which he said are squeezing states financially while enriching the Union.

The BRS leader said that by raising gasoline prices via cesses, the Modi administration is committing “severe economic exploitation” and depriving states like Telangana of their just compensation.

“While states contributing significantly to India’s economy struggle with fund shortages, the Centre uses illegally collected cess revenues to dominate them instead of providing infrastructure,” KTR said.

He also said that the government’s catchphrase, “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, had changed to “Maximum Taxation, Minimum Relief”.

KTR emphasised in his letter the hardship of rising LPG costs, which have surpassed Rs 1,100 per cylinder and are now out of reach for middle-class and impoverished women. According to the statement, he called the Ujjwala Yojana a “cruel joke”, pointing out that recipients who were formerly given cylinders with fanfare are now compelled to cook with firewood because of rising expenses.

He said that although oil giants stand to gain hundreds of crores, the impoverished must pick between petrol and food. “The LPG price hike isn’t just a statistic–it disrupts every facet of life,” he stated.

KTR made a historical comparison, recalling that gasoline prices in India were lower than they are now, even during periods when crude oil prices were more than $100 per barrel. He accused the BJP of dishonesty and recalled its past demonstrations against petrol prices during the UPA government.

At one point, BJP leaders and ministers took to the streets to call for reduced rates. He said that the Centre maintains prices constant before elections and then raises them thereafter, misleading voters, saying, “Now, they burden the public while oil companies rake in billions.”

A White Paper outlining fuel taxes and revenue sharing, a complete elimination of unshareable cesses, a transparent pricing mechanism in line with global crude trends, a move away from fiscal centralisation towards true cooperative federalism, an immediate rollback of the fuel and LPG price hikes, and a significant reduction in central excise duties were among the demands made by the people in KTR’s letter.

“Is this the ‘Achche Din’ Modi promised–where the middle class drowns in EMIs and fuel bills, the poor agonise over choosing between cylinders and essentials, and states lose their autonomy?” KTR enquired. He challenged the Centre to provide real achievements, stop hiding behind platitudes, and respect the confidence of millions.