(a) whether the petrol and diesel prices in the country have reached a record high after two years
and if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor and whether this peak of petrol and diesel
prices were seen last in October, 2018;
(b) whether it is also a fact that increase in prices of these two fuels affect the prices of other
commodities resulting in hitting hard common man;
(c) whether keeping in view the fall in prices of crude oil in the international markets, the
Government proposes to reduce the prices of petroleum products, if so, the steps taken or being
taken by the Government to restrict the petrol and diesel prices in the country;
(d) whether petrol and diesel high prices are due to price mechanism handed over to market force
and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the detail of yearly tax collected by the Union Government on petrol and diesel in the last
three years, and whether the tax collection has increased to almost double from what it was in
2013;
(f) whether it is a fact that India has one of the highest taxes on petrol in the world and if so, the
reasons for such high tax which is beyond almost many other countries in the world especially in
the time when the common man earning is already hit by coronavirus pandemic and unplanned
lockdown; and
(g) whether the Government is planning to reduce the tax on petrol & diesel and if so, the details
thereof and if not, the reasons for the same?