Days after losing all four bypolls in Himachal, BJP govt slashes VAT on diesel, petrol

DAYS AFTER losing all four seats in the Himachal bypolls, the Jai Ram Thakur government has reduced VAT on petrol and diesel. Petrol will now be cheaper by Rs 12 per litre while diesel rates have been cut down by Rs 17 per litre in the state with immediate effect.

Additional Chief Secretary Excise and Taxation Jagdish Chander Sharma said that earlier, the rate of tax on petrol of all kinds including aviation turbine fuel was 25 per cent and Rs 15.50 per litre, whichever is greater, which has now been reduced. The new rate of tax is 17.50 per cent or Rs 13.50 per litre, whichever is greater.