ECONOMY

Centre willing to get petrol, diesel under GST, but States unlikely to agree to it

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday that the Central government was ready to bring petrol and diesel under the GST purview. However, he added that the States might not agree to the proposal because fuel and liquor were major revenue generators for them. 

“For bringing the petrol and diesel under the GST, the States have to agree. If the States make the move, we are ready. We have been ready all along. That’s my understanding. It is another issue how to implement it. That question should be addressed to the finance minister,” Mr Puri said to mediapersons. 

Mr Puri also expressed doubts whether States would agree to bringing petrol and diesel under the GST, according to the reports. 

“There are some countries in our neighbourhood which have fuel shortages, and prices are exorbitant. But we did not have shortages even in the remote areas of the country. It has been a very strong navigation at the level of the Centre and the States. What will happen in future, it is difficult to say. During COVID in March 2020, the price of an oil barrel had come down to $19.56, which is now $96. I don’t answer hypothetical questions. But the efforts of the Central government will be that prices remain stable,” the minister said.

 

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