Despite concerns that rising inflation is gravely affecting the lives of the poorest people in Meghalaya, the state government today decided to hike petrol and diesel taxes.
The cabinet today approved the measure, which follows in the wake of a similar rise in neighbouring Assam.
Prior to today, the government levies a tax on petrol of 13.50 per cent of Rs 11 per litre, whichever is higher. While the former has not changed, the latter has been upped to Rs 12.50 per litre. This will take the price of petrol per litre in Shillong to Rs 96.83 and Rs 95.10 in Byrnihat.
Similarly, prior to today, the government charged a 5 per cent tax or Rs 4 per litre on diesel. The former, again, has not changed but the latter has been raised to Rs 5.50 per litre. This will now mean that buyers have to pay Rs 84.72 per litre of diesel at the pump in Shillong or Rs 83.50 in Byrnihat.
Cabinet minister James PK Sangma tried to justify the increase by saying that Byrnihat, which is close to Assam, would be selling its petrol at Rs 1.92 per litre cheaper than found in Assam.
“Despite the hike in our tax structure and the consequent increase in the prices of petrol and diesel, we as a state, are the cheapest in the entire country,” he added.
