Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri urges states to cut VAT to bring down fuel prices
Mahasamund:
Amid uproar over high fuel prices, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday that the central government is appealing to states to cut VAT on petrol and diesel to provide relief to consumers.
Shri Puri on a one-day visit to Mahasamund to take stock of various government schemes as part of nationwide “Social Justice Pakhwada” (Social Justice Fortnight) celebrations in Chhattisgarh, designated as ‘Aspirational District’ under a central scheme were. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
When asked by journalists about the rising prices of petrol and diesel, the minister said, “Our effort is to keep the prices under control, so the Center reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel last year and asked the state government to do the same.” .
“In Chhattisgarh, VAT on petrol and diesel is 24 per cent and if it is reduced to 10 per cent, the prices will automatically fall… When consumption is rising, even 10 per cent (VAT) is too high,” he said.
Shri Puri said that all BJP ruled states have reduced VAT on petrol and diesel.