Petrol, Diesel prices: 'State already in loss,' AAP-led Delhi government refuses to cut VAT on fuel prices

Amid the protest in the national capital over not cutting down the prices of petrol and diesel prices, the Delhi government refused to slash down the value added tax (VAT) from the fuel prices. Speaking on the development, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the state government is already running in loss.

“The states had put their faith in Centre over GST implementation, hoping that the Modi govt would take care of states' interests. But, now when the Centre says it has hiked prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 10, the profit is pocketed by the Centre, however, if it reduces the rates by Rs 1.5, states are expected to cut down the price by Rs 2.5," he said.

Deputy Sisodia also said that states which are already reeling under the losses cannot be expected to bear the burden of extra Rs 2.5/litre cuts. Earlier, protesting the Delhi government’s move over not slashing the fuel prices, Union Minister Vijay Goel rode a bullock cart and a cycle in Delhi.

The Union Minister said that the Kejriwal-led government was not paying heed to people suffering due to rising fuel prices. "It's not a symbolic agitation, it will go on till the Arvind Kejriwal government slashes VAT on petrol and diesel," he said.

It is Kejriwal’s turn to do the same and reduce the prices by at least Rs 5, the minister said.

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