BREAKING: Diesel, petrol prices reduced by upto Rs 5, HUGE relief for people from skyrocketing fuel prices in Maharashtra

New Delhi: The Maharashtra Government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde slashed VAT on fuel prices by upto Rs 5 per litre. The VAT on petrol was reduced by Rs 5 per litre while that on diesel has been reduced by Rs 3 per litre.

Shinde had a couple of days announced in the State Assembly, regarding the likelyhood of reducing VAT on fuel prices. While replying to a debate after he won the floor test, Shinde had said that the decision to reduce VAT on fuel will be taken in the state cabinet.

The Maharashtra government had also cut the state-imposed tax on petrol and diesel by Rs 2.08 per litre and Rs 1.44 per litre at the end of May. The move had come after the central government on May 21 announced a tax reduction on petrol by Rs 8 per litre and on diesel by Rs 6 per litre. 

In April this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the Centre and states should work in tandem, reiterating the theme of cooperative federalism, calling on states that haven`t followed the reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel by the Centre in November with a decrease in Value Added Tax (VAT) to do so. He emphasised that high taxes on petrol and diesel in such states - almost all opposition-led - are an injustice to the people.