State govt increases petrol, diesel tax rates
Bengaluru, Jan 4: The Congress-JDS government in Karnataka Friday increased tax rates on petrol and diesel to 32 per cent and 21 per cent respectively, citing adverse impact on the state revenue collection due to continuous fall in the prices of crude oil in international market.
Prior to the revision, the tax rates on petrol and diesel were 28.75 per cent and 17.73 per cent, respectively.
The revised rates for petrol and diesel are Rs 70.84 per litre and Rs 64.66 per litre, respectively.
The revision has been made due to continuous fall in the prices of crude oil in international market from past two-and-a-half months, which has resulted in base price of both fuels plummeting substantially, causing adverse impact onstate's revenue collection, the chief minister's office said in a statement.
Despite the revision, the retail price of petrol and diesel in Karnataka are lower compared to neighbouring states, considering the base price of the fuels as on January 1, 2019,it claimed.
It also said there was additional collection of Rs 1.14 and Rs 1.12 per litre on petrol and diesel, respectively, because of the government increasing the tax rate, from 30 per cent to 32 per cent and from 19 per cent to 21 per cent, respectively, from July 15, 2018.
However, considering the substantial increase in the base price of petrol and diesel, the government had reduced the incidence of tax on these fuels by Rs 2 per litre from September 17 last year to give relief to the consumers.
"Accordingly, the tax rate on petrol and diesel came down from 32 per cent to 28.75 per cent and from 21 per cent to 17.73 per cent, respectively."
With effect from October 5, 2018, the Union government also reduced the central excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.5 per litre and also directed Oil Marketing Companies to cut petrol and diesel prices by Rs 1 per litre out of their own margin, the statement added.
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Cyclone Fengal: Pondy govt issues heavy rain alert to residents via SMS
Puducherry (PTI): Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday morning prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant as cyclonic storm Fengal is expected to make landfall near here later in the day.
District Collector A Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe.
"We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets," he said adding that National Disaster Relief Force from Arakonam has arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation works.
According to the official, cyclone Fengal was expected to cross the coast in the evening. Control rooms have been opened in the collectorate and also in the line departments.
Toll free numbers 112, 1077 and also WhatsApp number 94889 81070 have been put in place to help people facing crisis to contact for help.
Cyclone Fengal is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram coasts close to Puducherry, official sources said. The government has advised people to stay indoors.
The entire stretch of beach road and also several tourist spots were closed to ensure that there was no movement of the people near the sea shore.
Schools and colleges remained closed today.
