Raj Govt marginally reduces cess on Diesel, Cooking gas

Jaipur, Sep 6 (UNI) Rajasthan Government has reduced cess on diesel by 60 paise per litre and on cooking gas by Rs 13.42 per cylinder to neutralise marginally the impact of hike effected on petroleum products by the Centre three months ago.

However, no cess or tax relaxation is being provided on petrol, state government spokesman and PWD Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore said.

The new cess rate would come in force with effect from midnight tonight, Mr Rathore told reporters.

The consumption of diesel and petrol in Rajasthan was 357 crore litres and 66 crore litres during 2007-2008 which had fetched revenue of Rs 1865 crore and Rs 666 crore respectively on account of cess and/or tax.

The UPA Government had effected a hike of Rs three per litre on diesel, Rs five per litre on petrol and Rs 50 per cylinder on cooking gas on June 5 earlier this year.

Several state governments had already taken measures to neutralise the hike.

Demand was also being raised in different quarters for similar measures in Rajasthan too.

UNI SS JT CS2007