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The Opposition has demanded that the state government waive state-levied Value Added Tax (VAT) and fuel surcharges to provide relief to farmers and citizens facing rising fuel prices and inflation. Senior NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jayant Patil has urged the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government to take immediate steps and provide this relief.

NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil. File pic/Rane Ashish

VAT on fuel

At present, the Maharashtra government is levying 21 per cent VAT on diesel and 25 per cent VAT on petrol in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. With petrol, diesel, and CNG prices hiked multiple times over the last fortnight, the increases are adding to inflation and hitting the pockets of transporters, autorickshaw and taxi drivers, as well as the common man. To offset this burden, Jayant Patil, the former Maharashtra finance minister, has urged the government to reduce the state-levied tax and surcharges levied on fuel.

War impact

Following the conflict between the US and Iran, crude oil supplies were disrupted, leading to a sharp rise in global prices. Crude oil prices jumped from nearly USD 65 per barrel to around USD 115 per barrel, and are now hovering close to the USD 100 mark. With rising crude prices and a weakening rupee, the government had little choice but to increase fuel prices to offset losses and maintain fiscal stability.