Opp attacks CM on fuel price issue

Mumbai: A day after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke about the need for bringing fuel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Thursday, opposition parties sharpened their attack on the government, pointing at the high taxes being levied on fuel in the state. The Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam posted a list on his Twitter handle, which showed Maharashtra as topping the list of states for levying the highest tax, 39.78%, on petrol.

Opposition leader Dhananjay Munde appealed for a reduction in the state taxes so as to give relief to the people. Former finance minister P. Chidambaram has advised Mr Fadnavis to raise the issue of including fuel under GST at the GST council, instead of talking about outside the forum. He also targeted the CM on his GST statement, saying, “Nobody knows when GST council will take a decision on fuel. Do not point fingers at the GST council. CM Fadnavis should reduce the taxes applied by state government on petrol and diesel and give relief to people of the state,” he demanded.

Meanwhile, Mr Nirupam posted a chart of taxes levied on petrol and diesel in all the states of India. In the list, Maharashtra is shown as levying the highest tax of 39.78%. on petrol. The state is ranked seventh where diesel is concerned with a tax of 24.84%. “Dear CM Fadnavis, why is your government is charging nearly 40% VAT per litre, which is highest in the country? If you are even a little bit concerned about Mumbaikars, please reduce it before making any Jumla statement regarding GST,” tweeted Mr Nirupam.

Mr Chidamabaram has asked Mr Fadnavis to take up the issue of GST on petrol products in the GST council. “Bringing petrol and diesel under GST will lower prices, said Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. He should ask his party’s government at the Centre to do that,” tweeted Mr Chidambaram.

On Thursday, CM Fadnavis had made a statement regarding fuel under GST. He had said, “Atask force is already working on reducing fuel prices. If fuel can be brought under GST, rates will come down. Maharashtra has already given consent to bringing fuel under GST. Other states have not given their consent yet. But GST council will also have to look into other aspects like revenue losses before taking any decision.”