M. Veerappa Moily said that despite the challenging geo-political situation that has affected global oil prices, the government is geared up to continuous supply of auto and cooking fuels. He denied that government had done any U-turn on the proposal as it was widely criticised. “When we have not conceived any such proposal, there is no question of backtracking,” added Mr Moily.
The government also came under heavy criticism from Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha over fuel price hike with Left parties and TMC members staging walk-out from the House which saw a brief adjournment due to uproar. BJP members attacked the government over the issue saying making the announcement outside the House amounted to bypassing Parliament when it was in session.
Ridiculing petroleum minister M. Veerappa Moily over his proposal to shut down petrol pumps during night to taper the fuel demand, BJP member M Venkaiah Naidu said the government’s “totally anti-people” decision came without taking Parliament into confidence. Some Opposition members including that of the TMC accused the government of “declaring a war” on common man and increasing the miseries of people and demanded a roll-back of the decision. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, CPI(M) member Prashanta Chatte-rjee said it was unfortunate that petrol and diesel price hike was announced outside Parliament.