Six of the eight northeastern states — Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Mizoram – announced additional cuts (VAT) in petrol and diesel prices after the Centre reduced excise duty on them by Rs 5 and Rs 10 on the eve of Diwali, in a bid to offer relief to people reeling under the impact of spiralling fuel prices.
Aizawl: The Mizoram government on Thursday slashed petrol and diesel prices by Rs 7 per litre each, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said.
He said the “progressive decision” made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conveyed to the state government by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
“Glad to announce that #Mizoram Govt. will reduce VAT on Petrol & Diesel each by Rs. 7/- with immediate effect from today,” the chief minister tweeted.
On Thursday, petrol price in state capital Aizawl fell to Rs 101.30 per litre, while diesel is now sold at Rs 86.37 per litre.
The Centre on Wednesday cut the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively to bring down retail rates from record highs.
Agartala: After the Centre reduced excise duty on fuel, the Tripura government also decided to slash petrol and diesel prices by Rs 7 per litre each from Thursday, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said.
He described this as a Diwali gift by the central and state governments to the 37 lakh people of Tripura.
“Following Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji led central govt’s decision on reduction of excise duty on petrol & diesel, #Tripura govt has also decided to reduce petrol & diesel cost by Rs 7 from tomorrow,” Deb tweeted.
“After today’s decision Petrol & Diesel will cost Rs 98.33/lt & Rs 85.63/lt respectively in Agartala,” Deb said in another tweet.
Guwahati:: Assam announced a reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 7 per litre with immediate effect, hours after the Centre slashed excise duty on fuel.
Lauding the step by the Union government, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the state government’s decision on Twitter.
“Heartening to learn Central Govt decision to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel. In consonance with the decision of Honble PM @narendramodi, I am pleased to announce that Assam Govt will also reduce VAT on petrol and diesel each by Rs 7/- with immediate effect,” he said.
On October 29, Sarma had said the state government was ready to cut its share of taxes on fuel if the high rates continue for a longer period.
Buckling under pressure, the Central government cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by a record Rs 5 and Rs 10 per litre to help bring down rates down from their highest-ever levels.
On Wednesday, the prices of petrol and diesel in Guwahati were Rs 106.10 and Rs 98.36 per litre, respectively.
Imphal: Manipur announced a reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 7 per litre with immediate effect, hours after the Centre reduced excise duty on fuel.
The Centre cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by a record Rs 5 and Rs 10 per litre, and together with the reduction of taxes announced by the Manipur government, petrol would be cheaper by Rs 12 per litre and diesel by Rs 17 per litre in the state.
“Heartily welcome PM @narendramodi Ji’s decision to reduce excise duty on petrol & diesel as a gift to the people of this Nation on this Diwali. I’m also please to announce that the Govt. of Manipur will also reduce VAT on petrol and diesel each by Rs 7/- with immediate effect,” Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted.
Petrol was retailing at Rs 111.41 per litre and diesel at 99.39 per litre in Imphal East on Wednesday.
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday announced that his government has reduced the value-added tax rates on petrol and diesel by 5.5 per cent, a day after the Centre slashed excise duty on fuel.
The revised VAT rates would be applicable in the northeastern state from the midnight of November 5, he said.
With the reduction of the central and state taxes, the price of petrol will be Rs 91.87 per litre, while diesel will be available at Rs 79.83 a litre in the state from the midnight of Friday.
“Arunachal Govt (government) is also pleased to announce the reduction of State VAT on petrol from existing 20 per cent to 14.5 per cent and Diesel from 12.5 per cent to 7 per cent. Thank you Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji for reducing Central Excise duty on Petrol & Diesel on this auspicious (Diwali) day,” Khandu said on Twitter.
Petrol will be cheaper by over Rs 10 per litre and diesel by around Rs 15, he said.
“Consumers will benefit by Rs 10.20 per litre in petrol and Rs 15.22 per litre in diesel after the relief given both by Centre and State Govt (government), Khandu said on the microblogging site.
The Centre had, on Wednesday, cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by a record Rs 5 and Rs 10 per litre respectively, a move which has evoked similar response by many states.
