Assam government slashes fuel-liquor prices ahead of assembly polls

The state government has withdrawn the additional cess imposed on petrol-diesel and liquor in the last year.

The BJP-led Assam government has slashed the petrol and diesel price in the state by Rs 5 per litre with effect from midnight of Feb 12 and removed an additional cess of around 25 per cent imposed on liquor last year.

Presenting a vote on account for an aggregate expenditure of Rs 60,784.03 crore for a period of six months from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday, Assam Finance minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that, petrol and diesel price will become cheaper by Rs 5 per litre with effect from midnight of February 12.

“At the peak of COVID-19, we had levied additional cess on petrol, diesel and liquor. Now the pandemic has declined to a reasonable extent, the number of patients has reduced and the need for COVID-19 screening centres has also gone down. As such, the expenditure on healthcare sector has substantially come down. Hence, the state cabinet has decided to withdraw the additional cess and taxes imposed during the COVID-19 period. Hence, petrol and diesel will become cheaper by Rs 5 per litre with effect from midnight tonight benefiting lakhs of consumers across Assam. Similarly, the additional cess imposed on various liquor categories during last year, averaging around 25 percent, has been withdrawn,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam Finance minister also said that the increase in the daily wages of the tea garden workers will be announced soon.