Uttarakhand waives VAT on kerosene

States are taking steps to soften the impact of the fuel and LPG hike on common man. They are decreasing their prices after reducing VAT and other levies. Uttarkhand announced to waive VAT on kerosene, and would not charge the tax on the amount increased for diesel and LPG after the hike. With the hike last Friday generally coming in for sharp criticism, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee wrote to all chief ministers asking them to reduce state levies on diesel, kerosene and LPG in line with the duty cuts undertaken by the Centre to provide some relief to the common man. The states cutting across party lines which have taken the decision have sacrificed revenue by reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) and other levies on petroleum products. WB and Haryana have already reduced prices of some petroleum products since the fuel hike last Friday. LPG cylinders in Delhi will cost Rs 40 less for BPL and Antyodaya families and diesel 37 paise less per litre for all. Kerala brought down diesel price by 75 paise per litre. Himachal Pradesh exempted kerosene oil from VAT and reduced the tax on diesel to 9.70 per cent from the present 14 per cent. Besides, there would be 'zero' VAT on kerosene oil, a relief of 13.5 per cent while reduction in VAT on diesel would be 4.30 per cent. Similarly, Punjab exempted VAT on the hiked amount of diesel and LPG, making make diesel cheaper by 25 paise/ litre and LPG by Rs 2.50.

CM walks barefooted to protest petrol price hike

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today led a march of BJP activists, protesting against the recent hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas. The Chief Minister walked barefooted through out the 4km-long march, which began from his residence and culminated near the state secretariat. Senior BJP leaders, including state party president Bishan Singh Chufal along with scores of party workers attended the march. The party also demanded an immediate roll back of the increase in prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas.