Fuel prices will drop soon but don’t expect tax cut, says Union minister Pradhan

Attributing the recent rise in fuel prices to a hurricane in the US, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the rates will come down in the next few days.

“Fuel prices have gone up recently due to the hurricane in the US. As the prices reduce in the international market, they will come down here also,” the petroleum and natural gas minister told reporters here…

“The rates have already started to come down in the last three days,” he said, adding that petrol and diesel prices have been linked to the market since the last 20 years.

When asked over the possibility of reduction in taxes on petroleum products to curb the fuel prices, Pradhan said taxes can’t be slashed as funds are necessary for infrastructure development and welfare schemes.

“Don’t you need good roads? Don’t you need pure drinking water? Don’t you need good education for your children? Dono haath main laddu nahi ho sakte (You cannot have laddus in both your hands),” Pradhan said.