States cut back on fuel taxes

HYDERABAD/NEW DELHI: The Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday slashed petrol and diesel prices by 40 paise and 22 paise respectively per litre.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, at a high level meeting with commercial tax officers, to review the hike in petrol prices.  The commercial sales tax has been slashed from 34 per cent to 33 per cent on petrol and 23 per cent to 22.25 per cent on diesel, which amounts to reduction of 40 paise for petrol and 22 paise for diesel.

Following suit, Delhiites could also hope for some relief .

The government will consider on Tuesday, ways to reduce the burden of the hike, Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit said. “We will consider ways to reduce the burden of the fuel price hike on Delhiites,” she said.

Meanwhile Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said the government will provide “a level-playing field’’ by reducing the local tax on petrol and diesel. However, the precise details of the cut will be announced on Monday.