Why are opposition parties not reducing tax on petrol?

New Delhi: Just a day before Diwali, the central government announced a reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel. After this, till now 22 states of the country have cut Value Added Tax (VAT). Most of these are BJP ruled states or union territories. At the same time, VAT has still not been deducted in Congress ruled states. A total of 14 states or union territories have not reduced VAT so far. In such a situation, only the relief given by the Center is effective in these states.

Which states did not give relief: Interestingly, most of the states which did not give relief on VAT are Congress ruled states. These states are Maharashtra, National Capital Territory of Delhi, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Andaman and Nicobar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Highest cut in Karnataka: Karnataka has seen the biggest reduction in petrol prices due to VAT relief, followed by Puducherry and Mizoram. Petrol prices in these states have come down by Rs 13.35, Rs 12.85 and Rs 12.62, respectively. In the case of diesel also, the maximum cut has been made by Karnataka. Due to this, the prices have come down by Rs 19.49 per liter, followed by Puducherry and Mizoram.

BJP criticized: Opposition parties have been criticized by the BJP for not deducting VAT. BJP said that the opposition is attacking the Center over the high prices of petrol and diesel, but when the central government reduced the excise duty, why did they not reduce VAT in their respective states. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “If the Center and BJP-ruled states can provide relief to the people, then why can’t Congress-ruled states?”

Bhatia said VAT on petrol in Congress-ruled Rajasthan is Rs 32.19 and it is Rs 31 in opposition alliance (Maha Vikas Aghadi)-led Maharashtra, while it is Rs 21.86 in BJP-ruled states, Uttar Pradesh and Rs 20.46 in Uttarakhand. Bhatia said that the central government used the additional tax collected from the people for nation building and public welfare. He said that Direct Cash Transfer (DBT) of Rs 19 lakh crore has been done and free ration was given to the poor.