Nirmala Sitharaman addresses petrol price concerns as Modi government hits 100 days

Sitharaman on petrol price: As the Modi government 3.0 completes its first 100 days in office, the spotlight is on key economic issues, including petrol prices, which have been a persistent concern for the common man. 

In an exclusive interview with Republic TV, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed whether there is any anticipated relief in petrol prices for the average citizen.

State-level price variations

Sitharaman stressed that the Modi government has taken proactive steps to provide relief whenever possible. She highlighted that there have been instances where petrol prices were reduced, and several BJP-ruled states have also implemented further cuts in fuel rates. These measures were aimed at mitigating the financial burden on consumers.

However, Sitharaman acknowledged that not all states could offer the same level of relief. States like Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have been involved in extensive freebie schemes, faced budgetary constraints that limited their ability to reduce petrol prices as significantly as other regions.

Past relief measures

The Finance Minister reflected on past occurrences when the central government made substantial reductions in petrol prices, which were subsequently adopted by several states. These reductions provided relief, particularly during challenging times such as the global pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

As the government continues to address these challenges, the impact on petrol prices and the associated relief measures will remain a key focus for both policymakers and the public.