Cuttack: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Orissa High Court Monday to include petroleum products under the Goods and Services tax (GST) regime.
The Centre has increased production tax on petrol and diesel nine times between November 2014 and January 2016. The continuous hike in petrol and diesel prices has affected the general public, alleged the petitioner and social activist Surendra Panigrahi of Third Lane in Brajanagar of Berhampur in Ganjam district.
The petitioner made the Union finance minister and head of GST Council, union cabinet secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas secretary, secretary to finance ministry, chairmen of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and state Chief Secretary parties to the case.
The social campaigner sought intervention of the HC to withdraw the existing two taxes on petroleum items, central excise tax of 47 per cent and state VAT of 42 per cent and implement uniform tax by bringing it under GST regime.
“If the petroleum items are brought under GST, petrol and diesel can be sold at Rs 38 and Rs 36 respectively per litre across the country. About 125 crore people in the country and 4 crore in the state will be benefited by it,” Panigrahi claimed.
Recently, petrol and diesel prices were increased by 4 paise and 6 paise per litre respectively. The repeated hike in the fuel price should be controlled. It will result in decrease in bus and truck fares and cost of imported food items, the petitioner said.
The petitioner appealed to the HC to pass necessary directions to convene a meeting of the GST Council to discuss the issue and direct the Centre to implement GST on petroleum items.
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