Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel hiked twice in a month!

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government claims that it has not imposed any additional tax burden on the people of the State. But contrary to these claims, the government has hiked the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, not once but twice in June. Needless to say, the people are bearing the brunt of this hike as fuel prices have surged.

The State Finance Department brought out the first notification regarding the hike in VAT on petrol and diesel on June 2, 2023. Before this notification, the price of petrol (Indian Oil) in Guwahati was Rs 97.02 per litre, the price of diesel was Rs 89.07 per litre and that of extra premium petrol was Rs 103.68 per litre. After the notification, the price of petrol increased to Rs 97.52 per litre, diesel was sold at Rs 89.58 per litre and extra premium petrol at Rs 104.18 per litre.

The second notification regarding the hike in VAT was published on June 21 and fuel prices increased further. Today, the price of petrol in Guwahati was Rs 97.77 per litre, that of diesel was Rs 90.08 per litre and that of extra premium petrol was Rs 104.48 per litre. As a result of the hike in VAT on petrol and diesel twice this month, the price of petrol has increased by 0.75 paise per litre, diesel by Rs 1.01 per litre and extra premium petrol by 0.80 paise per litre.

A student who had come to refuel her two-wheeler at a petrol pump in the city expressed resentment over the increase in fuel prices. She said, “The government gives scootys to meritorious students but if the prices of petrol and diesel keep increasing, how can students use these scootys? Hike in fuel prices affects not just students but all sections of people. Due to floods in the State, the prices of vegetables and other essential items have sky-rocketed. APDCL has also hiked power tariffs. The common people are reeling under price hike. The government should keep people’s interests in mind before taking such decisions.”

Also Read: All Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association (AAECA) oppose additional fuel charges

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