New Delhi, March 27 -- Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday questioned the claims made by the Narendra Modi government that the announced excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel provide relief for the common public, arguing that it benefits oil marketing companies instead of consumers. He said that the consumers will continue to pay unchanged retail prices at fuel stations.

Speaking to ANI, Khera asked for whom this 'favour' was being bestowed. He further pointed out that it pertained to what the government calls a "Special Additional Excise Duty", which implied that it was "superfluous".

"For whom was it reduced? Was it reduced for you or for me? If you and I go out right now and take our car to get petrol filled, will we pay less? We w...