Bengal govt reduces tax by Re 1 per litre on petrol, diesel

The West Bengal government onSunday announced a reduction of tax by Re 1 per litre onpetrol and diesel effective from midnight.

State Finance Minister Amit Mitra said the move willprovide some respite to people stung by burgeoning prices offuel.

“The Centre earns Rs 32.90 per litre in taxes frompetrol, while the state gets Rs 18.46 only. In case of diesel,the central governments earning is Rs 31.80 per litre asagainst Rs 12.77 for the state,” Mitra said.

He also alleged that the Centre had imposed cess toavoid devolution with states, which is “against thecharacteristics of federalism”.

To a question, Mitra said the Union government shouldreintroduce the planning commission.

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