Patna: Opposition members raise inflation problems and rising prices of petroleum products in the state legislative council on Thursday.
Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra demanded home delays on this issue and asked the state government to intervene in this matter and provide relaxation of taxes collected on fuel so that ordinary people can get help.
Mishra said because the price of gasoline and diesel was increasing regularly, edibles like pulses and oil became more expensive.
He said the 26% tax on gasoline and 19% in diesel was collected by the state government and had to be limited.
Through written answers submitted in the Upper House, Deputy Chief of Tarkishore Prasad, said the price of gasoline and diesel did not increase from 27 February to March 23 and also remained constant from April 15 to May 3.
While the diesel price on April 1 is Rs 86.12 per liter, now it has reached Rs 95.51 per liter.
Likewise, gasoline prices increased from Rs 92.89 per liter on April 1 to Rs 104.25 per liter now.
Prasad said the price of gasoline and diesel depends on several factors and the basic price determined by the oil company is one of the main factors.
He added while the price of crude oil in the international market was 20 dollars a barrel in April, now has crossed Rs 70 dollars per barrel, which leads to a basic price increase.
Regarding the reduction in taxes collected on fuel, the government states that even if relaxation is given, it will be small and a lot of aid in the long term because crude oil prices increase.
Incharge Minister Ashok Choudary, who answered on behalf of the government, said several initiatives were taken to overcome Covid-19 and this caused additional burdens in state finances.
“The reduction in tax on fuel will have an impact on this welfare scheme,” he added.