BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday defended the hike in petrol and diesel prices, saying it will ensure funding of essential public services and development projects.
Opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) strongly attacked the Congress government for increasing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 and Rs 3.5 per liter respectively, with Siddaramaiah saying that even after the hike, the fuel was cheaper than most Tax is less. Southern states.
“The Karnataka government has increased VAT on petrol to 29.84 per cent and on diesel to 18.44 per cent. Even after this increase, our state's tax on fuel is lower than most South Indian states and states with similar economies like Maharashtra." the Chief Minister said in a statement.
According to him, in Maharashtra, VAT on petrol is 25 percent and additional tax of Rs 5.12 and on diesel is 21 percent. He pointed out that Karnataka's revised rates are still more affordable.
Siddaramaiah stressed, "Karnataka's VAT adjustment ensures that we can finance essential public services and development projects. The state is committed to balanced and responsible governance."
Stating that despite the VAT hike, diesel prices in Karnataka are still lower than those in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said, "We are committed to keeping fuel prices reasonable for our citizens."
He also took a dig at the opposition BJP, which has decided to hold statewide protests on Monday.The Chief Minister alleged, "The then double engine BJP government collaborated to transfer Karnataka's resources to other states. The BJP government in the state kept reducing VAT on petrol and diesel, while the Central government increased its taxes. "
He alleged that this manipulation by the previous BJP government in the state resulted in reduced revenue for Karnataka, "while the central government collected more revenue for its coffers by cheating the Kannadigas."
Siddaramaiah said that before the BJP came to power in 2014, the central excise duty on petrol was Rs 9.48 per liter and on diesel was Rs 3.56 per litre. However, during the tenure of the BJP government, the central excise duty on petrol and diesel was increased significantly.Reached record highs of Rs 32.98 and Rs 31.83 respectively in May 2020.
Subsequently, excise duty on petrol and diesel was cut by Rs 13 per liter and Rs 16 per liter respectively between November 2021 and May 2022.
The chief minister said, “Despite the cut, the current central excise duty on petrol is Rs 19.9 and on diesel is Rs 15.8. We urge the central government to reduce these taxes for the benefit of the people."
Opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) strongly attacked the Congress government for increasing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 and Rs 3.5 per liter respectively, with Siddaramaiah saying that even after the hike, the fuel was cheaper than most Tax is less. Southern states.
“The Karnataka government has increased VAT on petrol to 29.84 per cent and on diesel to 18.44 per cent. Even after this increase, our state's tax on fuel is lower than most South Indian states and states with similar economies like Maharashtra." the Chief Minister said in a statement.
According to him, in Maharashtra, VAT on petrol is 25 percent and additional tax of Rs 5.12 and on diesel is 21 percent. He pointed out that Karnataka's revised rates are still more affordable.
Siddaramaiah stressed, "Karnataka's VAT adjustment ensures that we can finance essential public services and development projects. The state is committed to balanced and responsible governance."
Stating that despite the VAT hike, diesel prices in Karnataka are still lower than those in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said, "We are committed to keeping fuel prices reasonable for our citizens."
He also took a dig at the opposition BJP, which has decided to hold statewide protests on Monday.The Chief Minister alleged, "The then double engine BJP government collaborated to transfer Karnataka's resources to other states. The BJP government in the state kept reducing VAT on petrol and diesel, while the Central government increased its taxes. "
He alleged that this manipulation by the previous BJP government in the state resulted in reduced revenue for Karnataka, "while the central government collected more revenue for its coffers by cheating the Kannadigas."
Siddaramaiah said that before the BJP came to power in 2014, the central excise duty on petrol was Rs 9.48 per liter and on diesel was Rs 3.56 per litre. However, during the tenure of the BJP government, the central excise duty on petrol and diesel was increased significantly.Reached record highs of Rs 32.98 and Rs 31.83 respectively in May 2020.
Subsequently, excise duty on petrol and diesel was cut by Rs 13 per liter and Rs 16 per liter respectively between November 2021 and May 2022.
The chief minister said, “Despite the cut, the current central excise duty on petrol is Rs 19.9 and on diesel is Rs 15.8. We urge the central government to reduce these taxes for the benefit of the people."
