Smriti Irani
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday attacked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik alleging that he is not letting people of the state avail benefits of the Central schemes.
“Modi government reduced Rs 2.50 on fuel prices, but Naveen babu has not reduced the state taxes, not only this, he is not letting people of Odisha avail benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme,” ANI quoted Irani as saying in Bhubaneswar.
Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Dharmendra Pradhan were in Bhubaneswar to inaugurate the Bharatiya Janata Party's state executive meeting.
Under attack from rivals and with Assembly elections around the corner, the Centre on Thursday cut petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2.50 per litre, a decision that was followed by several BJP-ruled states giving an overall relief of Rs 5 per litre.
The Centre's decision will result in a revenue loss of Rs 10,500 crore in six months, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said while announcing the much sought-after relief and asking states to effect a similar cut.
He told a press conference that the cut will be effected through slashing of excise duty to the tune of Rs 1.50 per litre while the oil marketing companies (OMCs) will absorb the impact to the tune of Re one.
"The notification in this regard will be issued today and prices will be applicable immediately afterward," he said.
The Centre's decision was announced after high-level consultations involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.
(With inputs from agencies)
