6 states have not reduced VAT on petroleum products: Oil Minister

New Delhi: Six states including, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Jharkhand have not reduced the VAT on petroleum products. This has led to higher prices of petrol and diesel in these states, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday. Puri said in Lok Sabha that the Central government has reduced excise duty on petroleum products and some states, following the cues, reduced their Value Added Tax (VAT).

'OMCs suffered losses of Rs 27,276 crore due to high prices of crude in international markets'

Six states including, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Jharkhand have not reduced the VAT, he said amidst vocal protests by the Opposition members. In addition to this, the minister said, currently the petrol price in India is one of the lowest. He said the oil marketing companies together suffered losses of Rs 27,276 crore due to high prices of crude in international markets.

"I suggest MPs from the opposition impress upon their state governments to reduce the VAT so that they can also join the celebrations," he said.

Petrol & diesel prices depend on prices in international markets: Puri

Puri said India imports more than 85 percent of its crude oil requirements. Therefore, the prices of petrol and diesel in the country are linked to their respective prices in the international market.

He said the retail prices of petrol and diesel depending on various factors like crude oil purchase price, exchange rate, shipping charges, inland freight, refinery margin, dealer commission, central taxes, state VAT and other cost elements.

While the average price of the Indian basket of crude oil increased by 102 percent (from USD 43.34 to USD 87.55) between November 2020 and November 2022, the retail prices of petrol and diesel have increased in India by only 18.95 percent and 26.5 percent during this period respectively.

Prices of petrol & diesel have not been increased since Apr 6: Puri

The minister said prices of petrol and diesel have not been increased by public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) since April 6, despite record-high international prices.

"As a result, against the combined 'Profit Before Tax' of Rs 28,360 Crore in H1 of the financial year 2021-22, the three OMCs IOCL, BPCL and HPCL have booked a combined loss of Rs 27,276 Crore in H1 of the current financial year 2022-23," he said.

Govt reduced excise duty twice for petrol & diesel: Oil Minister

Puri said to insulate Indian consumers from the impact of high international crude oil prices, the central government reduced the central excise duty twice on November 21, 2021, and May 22, effecting a cumulative reduction of Rs 13 and Rs 16 per litre for petrol and diesel respectively, which was fully passed on to the consumers. Following these reductions in central excise duty, some of the States and UTs also reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) rates on petrol and diesel.

'Price of LPG is based on SPC'

The minister said India imports more than 60 percent of its domestic LPG consumption. The price of LPG in the country is based on the Saudi Contract Price (SPC), the benchmark for the international price of LPG.

Saudi CP rose from 236 USD /MT in April 2020 to 952 USD /MT in April 2022 and continues to prevail at elevated levels currently. However, he said, the government continues to modulate the effective price to consumers for domestic LPG.

Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies have suffered huge losses on the sale of domestic LPG and to compensate for these losses, the government has recently approved a one-time compensation of Rs 22,000 crore to OMCs.

Unsatisfied with the minister's reply, members belonging to Congress, DMK, TMC and NCP staged a walkout of the house.

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