Bhopal: Umang Singhar on Monday urged the Madhya Pradesh government to reduce VAT and cess on petrol and diesel, claiming the move could provide relief of Rs 12–15 per litre to consumers.
Targeting the BJP-led state government over fuel prices, the Leader of the Opposition said Bhopal was among the cities with the highest petrol prices in the country.
According to Singhar, petrol is priced at around Rs 98.67 per litre in Delhi, while consumers in Bhopal are paying nearly Rs 110.70 per litre.
Questioning the price gap, he alleged that the state government was imposing high taxes on fuel. Singhar claimed the state currently levies 29 percent VAT on petrol along with an additional VAT of Rs 2.5 per litre and a one percent cess. On diesel, he alleged, the government charges 19 percent VAT, an additional VAT of Rs 1.5 per litre and a one percent cess.
He further claimed that nearly Rs 28–30 per litre from petrol prices was being collected by the state government in the form of taxes.
Singhar said high fuel prices were affecting transportation costs and contributing to inflation in essential commodities, including vegetables, milk, groceries, agricultural inputs and construction materials.
He urged the state government to immediately reduce VAT and cess on petrol and diesel to provide relief to consumers.
“People need relief from inflation, not speeches,” he said.
