Mumbai, May 28: Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Jayant Patil, urged the Maharashtra government on Thursday to prioritize public interest by immediately waiving the Value Added Tax (VAT) and surcharge on petrol and diesel amid ongoing economic challenges.
In an official letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Patil expressed deep concern over the rising fuel prices, stating that the continuous increase has severely impacted the common man, making immediate relief essential.
Patil highlighted that the ongoing conflicts in Gulf countries are putting significant pressure on the economic stability of both India and Maharashtra. He stated, “Inflation is skyrocketing; there has been a substantial rise in the prices of cooking oil, vegetables, and essential goods, directly affecting the common man. The soaring prices of petrol and diesel are exacerbating the situation.”
He noted that petrol prices have risen by ₹2.61 per liter, while diesel prices have increased by ₹2.71 per liter. This marks the fourth consecutive price hike since May 15. Currently, petrol is priced at ₹111.12 per liter and diesel at ₹96.86 per liter in Mumbai.
Patil urged Chief Minister Fadnavis to take the lead during this crisis and provide much-needed relief to citizens. He explained that the state government imposes VAT and surcharge on fuel across the state, including in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
This demand comes at a time when Chief Minister Fadnavis reported on Tuesday that there has been a significant increase in regional retail fuel consumption compared to normal seasonal trends. He mentioned that the state’s Food and Civil Supplies Department and Home Department are monitoring supply distribution pipelines.
To stabilize market demand, the state has increased petrol distribution by 23% and diesel distribution by 52%. Patil noted that there seems to be hoarding of fuel, which is being monitored, and there is also a possibility of fuel being diverted for commercial use, which is under investigation.
During a media briefing after the weekly cabinet meeting, he stated that various regions are experiencing different levels of increase; for instance, Akola has seen a 154% rise, while several districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Gondia, and Hingoli, have recorded up to a 70% increase in general market consumption.
He concluded, “The administration is analyzing the differences between commercial and retail fuel supplies to ensure that retail resources reach agriculture and the general public effectively.”
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