Punjab BJP demands Rs 10 per litre reduction in VAT on fuel

Punjab BJP leader Pritpal Singh Baliawal on Monday asked the AAP government to reduce taxes on petrol and diesel to provide relief to the people instead of criticising the Union government over the fuel price hike.

Chastising the Punjab government for what he termed as its ''double standards'' on fuel prices, he said while it continues to blame the Centre over rising fuel costs, it itself is earning substantial revenue from petrol and diesel sales.

In a statement, Punjab BJP spokesperson Baliawal said the Punjab government is currently levying 16.58 per cent value added tax (VAT) along with an additional 10 per cent tax on petrol, resulting in approximately Rs 18-19 per litre being collected in taxes.

Similarly, on diesel, the state is charging 13.10 per cent VAT along with an additional 10 per cent tax, amounting to nearly Rs 13-14 per litre.

Despite repeatedly targeting the central government on fuel prices, the Punjab government has ''failed'' to disclose the significant revenue it earns from the state-imposed taxes and has chosen not to pass on relief to the public, said Baliawal.

''The central government had earlier reduced excise duty by up to Rs 13 per litre to provide direct relief to citizens. However, instead of extending similar benefits, the Punjab government increased its own earnings and continued burdening the people,'' Baliawal said.

Baliawal urged the Punjab government to immediately announce a minimum reduction of Rs 10 in VAT on petrol and diesel to provide much-needed relief to the people of Punjab.

''This is the time for governments to stand with the people and ease their burden, not to profit from their hardships,'' he added.

Petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 2.61-2.71 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth hike in less than two weeks as state-owned fuel retailers continued passing on rising international oil prices to consumers.

With the latest revision, cumulative increases in petrol and diesel prices have nearly touched Rs 7.5 per litre since fuel price revisions resumed on May 15 after a prolonged freeze, raising concerns over inflationary pressures and higher transportation costs across the economy.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)