Oil Minister urges countries to cut VAT to reduce rising fuel prices
Mahasamund:
Amid outcry over high fuel prices, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said the Coalition government has called on states to cut VAT on petrol and oil. diesel to bail out consumers.
Mr. Puri paid a day-long visit to Mahasamund, designated an “aspirational district” under the Central plan, in Chhattisgarh to review various government plans as part of the celebrations. Nationwide “samajik nyay pakhwada” (fortnightly social justice) was called for by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
When asked by a reporter about the rising gasoline and diesel prices, the Minister said: “We try to keep the prices under control, so the Center has cut the excise tax on gasoline and diesel in last year and asked the state government to do the same.
“In Chhattisgarh, the VAT on gasoline and diesel is 24% and if it goes down to 10%, the price automatically goes down… When consumption increases, even 10% (VAT) is too much,” he added.
Mr. Puri pointed out that all the states ruled by the BJP have already reduced VAT on gasoline and diesel.