Nitish indicates no decrease in state taxes on petrol-diesel

Ranchi, June 10 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today indicated that his government will not decrease the tax rate on petroleum products in the state to lessen the burden being faced by consumers due to the price hike of petrol and diesel by the Union government.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Kumar lambasted the UPA government at the Centre for increasing the prices of petrol and diesel seven times in the span of its two-year rule. ''The Centre should decrease its share of taxes on petroleum products to balance the increase of international prices,'' he said.

Mr Kumar said the Bihar government had already decreased its share of tax on the diesel, due to which it became cheap in the state. Now the Centre should decrease taxes.

He said that during the NDA rule when the prices of petrol and diesel were marginally increased, the UPA leaders were crying foul and now the UPA government at the Centre was unable to control the price hike of essential commodities.

UNI RAJ TJP VD HT2038