These states have reduced VAT on fuel after Centre’s excise duty cut

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra, Kerala and Rajasthan on Sunday slashed VAT on fuel, a day after the Centre slashed excise duty on petrol by Rs 8 and diesel by Rs 6.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Saturday urged states to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel to give relief to the common man. However, some states appeared reluctant citing their inability to take more strain on revenue.
Notably, these states had not slashed the VAT on fuel in November last year when the Centre had last reduced excise.
As many as 25 states and UTs had cut VAT in November 2021 to give further reprieve to consumers battered by record-high retail prices.
The latest cut by the Centre has brought down the excise duty to the pre-pandemic level — rather lower by a few paise. On March 1, 2020, excise duty stood at Rs 19. 98 a litre on petrol and Rs 15. 83 a litre on diesel. These will. Now be Rs 19. 90 and Rs 15. 80 a litre, respectively.