TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: From April 1, petrol in Goa will cost Rs 57.75 per litre, with the state government increasing the value added tax (VAT) on petrol from 10 percent to 15 percent. Currently the petrol prices in the state is Rs 55.24.
This is the second hike since December 2014, when the Laxmikant Parsekar led government had increased the VAT on petrol from 3 percent to 10 percent.
As proposed in the Goa Budget 2015-16, the government has increased VAT on petrol clarifying that the price is the lowest amongst all the states in the country. Government is likely to generate an additional revenue of Rs 100 crore from this hike. It claims that the additional amount generated will be utilized for implementation of the many infrastructure development schemes.
However, the government has assured that if there is a steep increase of petrol price at the Centre, the decision will be reviewed accordingly.
The BJP-led government in its assembly election manifesto 2012 had proposed zero per cent VAT on petrol and had slashed petrol prices by Rs 11. However since 2014, there has been a steep hike in petrol prices.
