Raj govt reduces VAT on petrol and diesel by 4%; fuel now cheaper by Rs 2 per litre

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel by 4% on Sunday. Petrol in the state is now Rs 2.21 cheaper and diesel Rs 2.19 litres.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje announced reduction in VAT for petrol and diesel during the Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra in Rawatsar of Hanumangarh on Sunday. The announcement came on the eve of Bharat Bandh called by the Congress.

Rajasthan government reduces VAT levied on petrol and diesel a day before Bharat Bandh

Earlier, the VAT on petrol and diesel was 30% and 22% respectively. It has now been reduced to 26% and 18% respectively. Petrol price was Rs 83.42 per litre and diesel price was Rs 77.31. They have now come down to Rs 81.21 and Rs 75.12 per litre respectively. The new patrol and diesel rates have come into effect from September 9 midnight.
According to the Congress party leaders, the government reduced the rates under pressure. They said the decision was taken a day before the ‘Bharat Bandh’ (nationwide shutdown) was to be organized by the Congress.

The BJP leaders said that there is no such pressure from the opposition parties and the government has taken the decision keeping in view the public demand and bring down inflation rate in the state.

Increasing prices of petrol and diesel had caused inflation rate to go up. Petrol and diesel prices either increased or stabilized every day since August 16 across the country.

Recently, the central government had declined to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel. The government suggested the state governments to decrease VAT.