Petrol, diesel prices in Rajasthan: Good news! Ahead of Bharat Bandh, fuel rates cut by Rs 2.5 per litre

Petrol, diesel prices in Rajasthan: With the reduction in VAT, petrol and diesel prices will come down by an average Rs 2.50, Raje assured.

Petrol, diesel prices in Rajasthan: Raje said that the state will bear a financial burden of Rs 2,000 crore due to VAT reduction. (PTI)

Petrol, diesel prices in Rajasthan: A day before Congress and other opposition parties united to protest against the rise in the prices of the fuel in the country, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Sunday announced that the state will reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel and petrol prices by four per cent.  With the reduction, petrol and diesel prices will come down by an average Rs 2.50, Raje assured. She said that while VAT on petrol was 30 per cent, it was 22 per cent on diesel. Raje said that the state will bear a financial burden of Rs 2,000 crore due to VAT reduction. "We have decided to reduce VAT on diesel and petrol by 4 per cent, which will provide much-needed relief to the people of the state, be it farmers or women or others," Raje told reporters in Rawatsar after making the announcement. However, the decision to reduce VAT on fuel rates by Raje was termed by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as something done under pressure. Gehlot said that the Chief Minister was forced to reduce VAT looking at the immense support to the bandh call given by Congress against the fuel hike. "She had to reduce the price," he said. Gehlot added that the decrease in petrol and diesel prices is insufficient and the state government should bring down the price of LPG cylinders too. A number of opposition parties will unitedly protest the rise in fuel prices in the country today and participate in the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the Congress. Top opposition party leaders like Sharad Pawar, M K Stalin and left leaders have openly extended their support for the call for shut down, while the Trinamool Congress has decided to stay away from the protest. (With inputs from agencies)