Fuel Tax Hike Triggers Political Storm in Himachal; BJP Slams Congress Budget as “Anti-People”
Shimla, March 24, 2026: A fresh political confrontation has erupted in Himachal Pradesh over rising fuel taxes and the state budget, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a strong attack on the Congress-led government. BJP State President Dr. Rajeev Bindal accused the government of burdening the public with heavy taxation and pushing the state toward an inflationary crisis.
Addressing mediapersons in Shimla, Dr. Bindal said the Congress government, which assumed power in 2022 with promises of relief and financial stability, has instead increased the economic strain on citizens. He alleged that instead of fulfilling its guarantees, the government has adopted policies that directly impact the common man’s pocket.
The BJP leader sharply criticized the hike in fuel taxes, stating that the levy on diesel has increased from ₹10.40 per litre to ₹15.40 per litre. He termed this move as unjustified and harmful, noting that fuel prices have a cascading effect on the entire economy. According to him, the hike will inevitably lead to higher transportation costs, increased fares for buses and taxis, and a rise in freight charges. He further pointed out that farmers and orchardists will face higher input costs, especially in irrigation and the transportation of produce, while the tourism sector could also suffer due to increased travel expenses.
Dr. Bindal claimed that over the past 40 months, the state government has collected nearly ₹4,000 crore from fuel taxes, and with the latest increase, an additional burden of around ₹2,000 crore is expected to be imposed on the public. He described this as a clear indication that the government is focusing more on revenue generation rather than public welfare.
Expanding his criticism, Dr. Bindal alleged that the cost of several essential services and commodities has also been increased. He pointed to hikes in electricity and water charges, as well as rising prices of ration supplies and cement. He further claimed that stamp duty has witnessed a steep increase, in some instances up to 500 percent, making property transactions more expensive for ordinary citizens. Cement prices, he added, have gone up by around ₹100 per bag, adding to the burden on the construction sector and common households.
The BJP leader also targeted the state budget, stating that its size has been reduced to ₹54,928 crore, which he termed as unprecedented and detrimental to Himachal Pradesh’s development. He alleged that the budget lacks innovation and largely replicates centrally sponsored schemes, without presenting a clear and independent roadmap for the state’s growth.
Raising concerns over the proposed entry tax, Dr. Bindal warned that it could adversely affect residents living in border areas and disrupt trade and tourism activities. He also cautioned that higher fuel prices in Himachal compared to neighbouring states could encourage illegal fuel trade, potentially leading to the rise of a “fuel mafia.”
Concluding his address, Dr. Bindal described the budget as anti-people and regressive, asserting that it fails to address the needs of the poor, farmers, youth, women, and employees. He said the BJP would strongly oppose these decisions and continue to raise the voice of the people both on the streets and in the Assembly.