Senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jayant Patil on Thursday urged the Maharashtra government to withdraw Value Added Tax (VAT) and surcharge on petrol and diesel, claiming the move would significantly reduce fuel prices and provide relief to citizens struggling with rising inflation, reported PTI.
Patil, a former Maharashtra finance minister, said he had written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting immediate intervention to ease the financial burden on the public, reported PTI.
Jayant Patil cites rising inflation and fuel costs
In a statement, Patil said continuous increases in fuel prices had worsened inflationary pressure and affected household budgets across the state, reported PTI.
He claimed the economic situation in Maharashtra, as well as in the rest of the country, had come under stress due to the ongoing conflict in Gulf countries, which had impacted global fuel prices and supply chains.
According to Patil, the prices of edible oil, vegetables and other essential commodities had also risen sharply in recent weeks, putting additional pressure on common citizens.
“The continuous increase in petrol and diesel prices is adding to the burden of inflation and has broken the back of common people,” Patil said in the statement, reported PTI.
Fuel prices increased four times in 10 days
Patil pointed out that fuel prices had reportedly been increased four times over the past 10 days.
He noted that petrol in Mumbai was currently priced at Rs 111.12 per litre, while diesel was being sold at Rs 96.86 per litre.
The NCP (SP) leader argued that high state taxes on fuel were significantly contributing to the retail price paid by consumers, reported PTI.
According to Patil, the Maharashtra government currently imposes around 25 per cent VAT along with a surcharge of Rs 10.12 per litre on petrol, reported PTI.
Diesel, he said, attracts approximately 24 per cent VAT in addition to a surcharge of Rs 3 per litre across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
NCP (SP) leader seeks immediate tax relief
Patil appealed to the state government to completely abolish VAT and surcharge on petrol and diesel in order to provide immediate relief to the public.
He claimed that if the taxes were removed, fuel prices could potentially come down to around Rs 70 to Rs 80 per litre.
The former minister argued that lower fuel prices would not only reduce transportation costs but could also help stabilise prices of essential commodities and services, reported PTI.
He said the government should prioritise public welfare amid rising inflation and growing economic concerns among middle-class and lower-income families.
Fuel prices remain politically sensitive issue
Fuel prices have continued to remain a politically sensitive issue in Maharashtra and across the country, with opposition parties frequently targeting governments over rising costs.
State governments levy VAT on petrol and diesel, while the Centre imposes excise duty and other taxes, making fuel pricing a combined responsibility.
Patil’s demand comes at a time when inflation and rising living costs have emerged as key concerns for households, especially in urban centres such as Mumbai and Pune.
(With inputs from PTI)
* This article was originally published here
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