BRS to zero in on 'world's most expensive' LPG, steep fuel prices

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Telangana Assembly elections, slated to be held in November-December this year.

While the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is likely to corner the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the high inflation rate, the 'world's costliest' LPG and steep hike in fuel prices, it may come under attack from the latter and also from the Congress over Telangana recording the highest inflation rate consistently among all states.

The BJP is likely to hit back at BRS for not reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel to pass on the benefits to the customers despite several states slashing VAT.

The BJP leaders may also cite the fact that Telangana has been witnessing inflation ratethat is consistently the highest among the states.

The Congress is likely to blame the policies of both the BJP and the BRS governments for the price rise. While attacking the BJP over the skyrocketing prices of fuel and LPG, its leaders may also slam the BRS for not reducing VAT on fuel and failing to check the high inflation.

According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, Telangana logged the highest inflation rate in the country.

The state had an inflation rate of 8.7 per cent between April and December 2022, in contrast to the national average of 6.8 per cent. Inflation in the rural areas of Telangana was higher at 9.2 per cent while in the urban areas, it was 8.3 per cent.

For March 2023, it was7.63 per cent, almost 200 basis points more than the national average.

BJP leader Amit Malviya attributed this to high taxes on fuel and a broken Public Distribution System (PDS), which is meant to feed the poor.

Telangana has one of the highest fuel taxes in the country.

The transportation of goods and services is costlier. Higher housing and commercial rentals