PM "Should Feel Ashamed": Chief Ministers Push Back After Fuel Tax Attack

Stung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's put-down on live telecast yesterday, over states not cutting taxes to bring down petrol and diesel prices, opposition Chief Ministers are pushing back using sharp words in an escalating row with the Centre. Flagging higher fuel prices in many opposition-ruled states during a meeting on Covid, PM Modi called it "injustice" and urged the Chief Ministers to reduce VAT (Value Added Tax) on petrol and diesel to help the common man. He said many states had not agreed to the Centre's call for reducing VAT after his government slashed excise duties in November and named Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.