Confusion in petrol price in Kerala as it goes down by Rs 9.5 while expected reduction was Rs 10.41

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is confusion in the calculation of petrol price to be reduced in Kerala following the reduction in excise duty on fuel by the Central Government. According to statistics, the reduction in Kerala should be 10 rupees 41 paise. But when the revised price came this morning, petrol pumps reduced only nine rupees and fifty paise. The Centre has reduced the excise duty on petrol by Rs 8 a litre. Proportionately, the price in Kerala should go down by Rs 2 and 41 paise. But the difference is close to Rs 1 from this amount.

But even the pump owners are unable to explain this difference. The pump owners and dealers explain that they charge the same amount as the oil companies. Dealers say it is up to the oil companies to explain the price difference.

At the same time, state finance minister KN Balagopal said that reducing the fuel tax in Kerala is not even under discussion. The minister said the state has not raised any tax recently and therefore there is no need to reduce it when the center cuts it. He also alleged that the fuel tax had been increased 18 times during the Oommen Chandy government. He said the Centre had increased the fuel tax from Rs 3 to Rs 30 and deducting Rs 8 from this is not a big deal.