Bengal BJP asks TMC govt to slash state tax on fuel

The West Bengal BJP on Thursday stated that the Mamata Banerjee government should reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, taking a cue from the Centre, if it was serious about being pro-people.

The TMC, however, termed the Centre’s decision to slash excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹5 and ₹10 per litre respectively a “mere eyewash”. Describing the Centre’s move as a “Diwali gift to the nation”, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, took to Twitter, and said, “Now the WB Govt should follow suit and slash state tax to further bring down the rates.”

BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh tweeted that the TMC government, “which claims to be pro-people”, has its task cut out to reduce VAT imposed by it on petroleum products. The party’s state president, Sukanta Majumdar, also made a similar demand.