Baba Ramdev offers to sell petrol, diesel at Rs.35 to 40 per litre

September 17: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev said he could sell petrol and diesel at less than even half the prevailing market rates, if the government lets him do so.”If the government lets me, and gives some relief in tax, I can give petrol, diesel to India at Rs 35-40 per litre. Fuel needs to be brought under GST and not the 28 per cent rate,” said Baba Ramdev at NDTV’s youth conclave today.

Ramdev also cautioned that price rise across the country, if not controlled soon, may prove costly for the Modi government in the next general elections. He also said he would not campaign for the BJP in the 2019 elections, unlike in 2014 when he actively worked in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While this can simply be a political statement against rising fuel prices in the country, Ramdev’s claim of selling petrol prices at Rs 35-40 seems unrealistic. It is so because, if for instance, both the centre and the states abolish taxes completely along with dealers’ commission, then also the price of petrol will be more than Rs.42 per litre in all the states of India. This would be higher than what the Yoga Guru has claimed.