After centre, 9 states announced additional cut in fuel prices

Facing months of intense pressure over rising fuel prices in the country, the central government on Wednesday cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by record amounts of ₹5 and ₹10, respectively, per litre, to bring down their rates from the highest-ever levels.

Announcing the decision, a government statement said the Centre has also urged states to commensurately (in an equivalent measure) reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel to give relief to consumers.

After the reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel by the central government, many states of the country have reduced VAT on petrol and diesel with immediate effect.

After the announcement of the Center, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that VAT on petrol and diesel will be reduced by Rs 7 in the state with immediate effect.

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At the same time, the Karnataka and Goa governments have announced a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 7 per liter in their states.

Apart from these states, the Assam and Tripura governments have also decided to reduce the prices by Rs 7 per liter.

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that this decision of the government is going to bring relief to all sections of the people. While giving a big relief to the people of the state, Yogi Adityanath has said that the prices of diesel and petrol will be reduced by Rs 12 per liter in Uttar Pradesh.

Talking about Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced to reduce VAT on petrol by Rs 2 per liter in the state. In this sequence, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 7 with immediate effect. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government will soon issue a notification to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel prices.

Even CM Nitish Kumar's government in Bihar went ahead and slashed VAT on petrol by Rs 1.30 and diesel by Rs 1.90.

States have been for long urging the Centre to reduce the Value Added Tax on both petrol and diesel - the prices of which have been on an upward climb over the last few months. Petrol prices, in some states, had touched Rs 120 per litre while diesel has crossed the Rs 100 per litre mark in three metros.

(With inputs from agencies)