BJP protests near Delhi CM's residence, demands VAT cut on fuel

NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and leader of opposition in Delhi assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri with several other party functionaries protested near chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on Saturday over AAP government not reducing value-added tax on petrol and diesel.
Gupta said that tha Narendra Modi government has recently cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs10, respectively, per litre; and urged the AAP government to cut VAT so that people get cheaper petrol and diesel in the capital.
Bidhuri asked the AAP government to cut VAT on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 each per litre in Delhi. "After the Central government slashed excise, 13 states and Union territories also have reduced VAT, but the Delhi government is still silent on it. Delhi has high VAT on petrol and diesel as compared to other states. It is therefore must that Kejriwal government should have already cut down VAT and extended relief to people. After Centre’s move, there is now moral responsibility on Kejriwal government to follow the suit," Bidhuri said.
"Highest VAT is levied on petrol and diesel in Delhi. When the Kejriwal government came to power in 2015, it used to levy only 20 percent VAT on petrol and 12 percent on diesel. Kejriwal government increased VAT on petrol and diesel to 30 percent. Although VAT on diesel was also reduced to 16.75 percent in 2020, it is still higher than the other states, while 30 percent VAT is highest on petrol," Bidhuri said.
Gupta said till the Kejriwal government announces a reduction of VAT in petrol and diesel prices, Delhi BJP will continue to agitate in support of its demand.