Ajit Pawar urges Centre to bring fuel prices under GST regime

In his reply to the debate on budget in state Assembly, deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday the state wants petrol and diesel to be brought under the Goods and Services Taxes regime, so that the prices are reduced. Pawar said that until the decision is taken, the Centre should take steps to reduce its own taxes on fuel to give respite to citizens. He yet again refused to reduce VAT or cess currently imposed by the state government on fuel.

He also assured the Maharashtra government’s support on this move if it is implemented. Speaking in the state Legislative Assembly while replying to a debate on the budget, Pawar, who is the Finance Minister, said, “The central government should bring petrol and diesel under the purview of GST. The move will be beneficial to the state governments and the Centre”.

“It is a fact that rise in fuel prices in recent times is impacting the lives of the common people. Now, there is a discussion that fuel prices should be brought under GST. If it is brought under GST, the entire issue (rising fuel prices) will be resolved. In it, while all states will get half portion of GST, the remaining half of the entire country will go to the Centre. If such a decision is taken, then Maharashtra government will support it”, Pawar added.

Pawar further announced hike in Local Area Development (LAD) fund of legislators from the existing Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore. Pawar, on Monday, had presented a budget with a revenue deficit of Rs 10,226 crore and fiscal deficit of Rs 66,641 crore, but had proposed a slew of development and welfare initiatives weathering the financial crunch.