Six of the eight northeastern states — Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Mizoram — announced additional cuts (VAT) in petrol and diesel prices after the Centre reduced excise duty on them by Rs 5 and Rs 10 on the eve of Diwali, in an effort to provide relief to people suffering from spiralling fuel prices.
However, while petrol stations in several northeastern states are accepting the new transport gasoline prices as a result of the center’s excise tax cut, the state governments’ extra reductions have yet to be implemented due to a lack of suitable official communications.
Reduction prices in Northeastern States
According to an Indian Oil Corporation official, with the lowering of taxes by the Centre and state governments, the price of petrol in the northeastern states will be about Rs 100 to Rs 104, and diesel will be around Rs 86 to Rs 90.
“However the prices of petrol and diesel in the different locations of the northeastern states would vary depending on the varied transport charges,” the IOCL official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
Reduction of Value Added Tax
Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh are four of the eight northeastern states that have declared a cut in Value Added Tax (VAT) by Rs 7 per litre.
Mizoram, which is led by the Mizo National Front (MNF), and Sikkim, which is led by the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and is a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), have both lowered the VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 7 per litre.
Announcement on twitter
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Thursday tweeted: “Glad to announce that Mizoram government will reduce VAT on Petrol and Diesel each by Rs 7 with immediate effect from today (Thursday).”
“A progressive decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, resulting in excise duty reduction conveyed to us by Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister),” he said.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang tweeted: “In view of this decision and on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I would like to announce that the state Government will be reducing the prices of petrol and diesel in the state by Rs 7 per liter as a Diwali gift.”
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday in a tweet announced that the state government has reduced the VAT on petrol from existing 20 per cent to 14.5 per cent and diesel from 12.5 per cent to 7 per cent.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said: “Following Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji led central govt’s decision on reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel, Tripura govt has also decided to reduce petrol and diesel cost by Rs 7 from Thursday.”
“After the decision (of the centre and state governments’ fuel tax cut) petrol and diesel would cost Rs 98.33 per litre and Rs 85.63 per litre respectively in Agartala,” Deb said in another tweet.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday midnight tweeted: “Heartily welcome PM Narendra Modi ji’s decision to reduce excise duty on petrol & diesel as a gift to the people of this Nation on this Diwali. I’m also pleased to announce that the Govt of Manipur will also reduce VAT on petrol and diesel each by Rs 7 with immediate effect.” (IANS)
Government’s decision of reduction in excise duty
The government announced a record cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel on Wednesday.
The Centre said in an official statement that the excise duty on petrol has been slashed by Rs 5 and that on diesel has been decreased by Rs 10.
As a result, petrol and diesel will become less expensive. The lower prices will take effect on November 4th.
“The reduction in excise duty on diesel will be double that of petrol and will come as a boost to the farmers during the upcoming Rabi season,” the government said.
