NEW DELHI: Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Puri on Monday said Karnataka has increased taxes on petrol and diesel as the Congress government in the state must shore up resources to fulfil its tall pre-election promises.
Karnataka has increased the value-added tax on petrol to 29.84% and on diesel to 18.44%. Following this, diesel prices have risen to Rs 88.94 per litre and petrol prices to Rs 102.86.
The rates are still lower than those in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh where the BJP is in power. Diesel costs Rs 92.15 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 91.84 in Bhopal, Rs 90.36 in Jaipur and Rs 97.02 in Vijayawada. Petrol costs Rs 104.21 a litre in Mumbai, Rs 106.47 in Bhopal, Rs 104.88 in Jaipur and Rs 109.15 in Vijayawada.
Puri said the Congress government in Karnataka is in “panic” mode after voters started demanding the party fulfil its poll promises. “And they decided that they needed the revenue because there was an issue of credibility as it is they (who) have made bus rides free. They have done this. They’ve done that. So, then they decided they will increase petrol and diesel rates,” he said in an interaction with media persons.
