PANAJI
Days after the Central and state government slashed fuel rates, bringing the price of petrol and diesel below Rs 100, top BJP officials in Goa conceded that it had been awkward to respond to questions about high fuel prices, before the drop in prices.
On Saturday, both Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as well as State Bharatiya Janata Party president Sadanand Shet Tanavade also blamed the media for not satisfactorily playing up the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Goa government to reduce fuel prices ahead of Diwali.
Tanavade also faced sheepish moments at a press conference in Panaji, during which media persons grilled him about his congratulating the Central government for reducing fuel prices -- following a long sustained hike -- after he tried to link high fuel prices to the extensive Covid vaccine development and vaccination drives across the country.
“We also used to feel awkward when you (media) used to ask us questions (about fuel hike). We would find it awkward to answer. Therefore today we congratulate the government. But you have not given publicity in the manner it should have been done,” Tanavade told reporters, expressing his grouse against lacklustre media coverage about the drop in fuel prices.
“We know that on many occasions, reporters were asking us questions about the price rise of petrol and diesel. People were asking us about fuel rates. When petrol and diesel prices increase, other prices increase too, whether it is food grains or other things. Everything is dependent on fuel. PM’s decision to lower prices was historic,” Tanavade said.
When asked by reporters as to whether the marginal drop in fuel prices -- which haven’t dropped down to pre-Covid prices yet -- was enough to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision, Tanavade said that the price drop was expected to trigger a loss of Rs 1.80 lakh crore to the Central government’s tax kitty.
“The vaccination (effort) cost crores... Despite this, he has borne a loss of Rs 1.80 lakh crore,” Tanavade said.
“Government expenses increased during the pandemic. Government income had also reduced. Plus it took a great deal of money to develop the vaccine and to give it free across India and Goa. 100 crore people have taken the first dose. Despite these rising costs, I congratulate the PM and his cabinet for its decision to lower the fuel rate,” Tanavade also said.
Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also expressed displeasure that the media in Goa did not congratulate the Prime Minister and himself for the decision.
“You did not congratulate me. Petrol has been reduced by 12 rupees and diesel by Rs 17. You should have congratulated me and Modi ji. You did not...” Sawant said.
After the price drop, petrol and diesel in Goa has been priced at Rs 96.38 and Rs 87.26 respectively.
