Excise duties on petrol, diesel is probably not raised regardless of income pressures

NEW DELHI: The federal government shouldn’t be trying to increase excise duties on petrol or diesel, or to extend fundamental customs responsibility on crude regardless of income pressures, apprehensive that such a transfer might derail the restoration seen in some segments of the financial system, a senior official mentioned.

“At this juncture, restoration remains to be fragile…There’s a must keep away from shocks,” the official informed ET, confirming there isn’t any plan to extend duties on crude and petrol and diesel.

Nonetheless, a remaining name on the any change in duties will likely be taken on the highest political degree.

The federal government had in July final yr raised excise responsibility and cess on each petrol and diesel by Rs 1 per litre every. Petrol attracts excise responsibility of Rs 17.98 per litre and diesel Rs 13.83 per litre.

Primary Customs Obligation on crude petroleum is levied on the fee of Rs 1 per tonne. Moreover, there’s countervailing responsibility additionally of Rs 1 per tonne and Nationwide Calamity and Contingency Obligation of Rs 50 per tonne. A social welfare surcharge on the fee of 10% can be levied on all.


World crude costs on Monday witnessed the largest drop in costs for the reason that 1991 Gulf Conflict. Brent fell to $31.02 per barrel whereas India’s crude basket costs hit $45 per barrel. Indian basket represents the typical of Oman, Dubai and Brent crude.

India imports about 85% of its oil requirement and this plunge in costs may have a optimistic influence on its import invoice. Prior to now, the federal government had kept away from passing fall in costs to shoppers and as a substitute raised excise duties on petrol and diesel to gather extra tax.

“We’re preserving a detailed watch,” a second official mentioned.

The federal government believes that the financial system has bottomed out and there are some indicators of a pickup in some segments that must be inspired. Indian financial system grew four.7% within the December quarter, its slowest tempo in practically seven years, declining farther from an upwardly revised 5.1% within the earlier quarter.