Meghalaya levies lowest tax on petrol, diesel: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 23, 2021

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday said value added tax charged by the Meghalaya government on petrol and diesel is the lowest in the country.

Sangma said there are three factors when it comes to the petrol and diesel price – one is the price of fuel which the government of India buys, second is the different taxes that the government of India puts in and third level comes in where the state governments put in their petrol or diesel tax or VAT.

He was reacting to the blame being put by the opposition and others on the government for the current hike in the prices of petrol and diesel while addressing an election campaign for Mawryngkneng candidate Pyniaid Sing Syiem at Umpling.

“It is this third level which the state can control. Let me also inform you that when it comes to this rate that is charged by the state, Meghalaya government’s rate is the lowest in the country today,” Sangma said.

“Where Rajasthan government charges 36 percent, Meghalaya today is at 20 percent, the lowest in the country and the reason why we have ensured that it is the lowest it is to make sure that our people  do not suffer much even though it is a huge financial loss for the state government,” he further added.

The Chief Minister said that it is the global prices that have gone that has caused the present inconvenience. He also assured that the state government will ensure that its rate remains the lowest for the benefit of the people of the state.

Stating that he would further examine what can be done to address the issue, Sangma however said that he cannot say anything as of now since the cabinet will have to take a call. He assured that the government is doing whatever it can to minimize people inconvenience.