States should cut VAT to give relief to consumers: Puri on fuel prices

Amid outcry over high fuel prices, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said the Union government has been appealing to states to cut VAT on petrol and diesel for giving relief to consumers.

Puri was on a day-long visit to Mahasamund, designated as ‘aspirational district’ under a Central scheme, in Chhattisgarh to take stock of various government schemes as part of the nationwide “samajik nyay pakhwada” (social justice fortnight) celebrations called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked by reporters about the rising prices of petrol and diesel, the minister said,