Photo Courtesy: nenews
Aizawl: The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee has formally requested that the state government repeal the current cess on petrol and diesel to alleviate financial pressure on residents. MPCC treasurer Dr. Lalmalsawma Nghaka told reporters in Aizawl that global fuel price hikes, spurred by instability in West Asia, have caused a sharp rise in the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods across the region.
Nghaka criticized the Zoram People’s Movement administration and the BJP-led central government for their inability to protect citizens from these economic burdens. He noted that the central government has increased fuel prices four times in just two weeks. According to party data, the state government has collected over Rs 143 crore through petroleum cess by April of this year, a move the Congress leader described as an unprecedented financial burden on the public.
In September 2024, the state government implemented a new tax structure that increased VAT on petrol to 10 percent and diesel to 18 percent. This policy included an additional Rs 4 per litre levy, split equally between social infrastructure funding and road maintenance. During the March budget session, Chief Minister Lalduhoma confirmed that this specific levy had already generated more than Rs 93.37 crore in state revenue.
Beyond local taxation, Nghaka also challenged the economic performance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi administration. He argued that government programs like Make in India have failed to decrease reliance on Chinese imports, specifically citing ongoing dependence for electronics, solar equipment, and pharmaceutical materials. The Congress party maintains that suspending the fuel cess is a necessary step to provide immediate relief while international energy markets remain volatile.
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