Pradhan appeals Odisha govt to reduces VAT on petrol, diesel

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday appealed the Odisha government to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel by Rs 2.50 to provide relief to the consumers.

“The Odisha government has made a lot of hue and cry over the issue of fuel prices. They accused the Centre of being anti-poor. We have now reduced the prices by Rs 2.5 and urge the Odisha government to reduce their own VAT component by Rs 2.50 per litre in the larger interest of poor and middle class in the state,” said.

He said several states have reduced VAT on the petroleum products after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley appealed the states to reduce the tax on fuel.

Earlier on Thursday, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced Rs.2.5 cut in petrol and diesel prices bringing relief for the consumers. He also appealed the states to reduce the same amount of tax.

Responding to his call, five BJP-ruled states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Tripura and Jharkhand reduced the VAT by Rs 2.50.