Excise Duty Cut on Fuel to Ease Burden on Public, Farmers: MP Subhash Barala

NEW DELHI : Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala welcomed the Centre’s decision to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel, calling it a historic and pro-people step that will provide relief to the general public and farmers. Subhash Barala said the government has reduced excise duty on petrol from Rs.13 to Rs.3 per litre, while the Rs.10 per litre duty on diesel has been completely removed, a move that will lower transport costs and benefit farmers, traders and consumers. He noted that crude oil prices in the international market have surged from around $70 to nearly $122 per barrel in the past month due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, leading to sharp fuel price hikes across several regions globally. Despite these challenging conditions, India has chosen to provide relief rather than pass the burden to citizens. Subhash Barala said diesel consumption rises during harvesting and sowing seasons as tractors, harvesters, irrigation pumps and transport operations depend heavily on diesel, and the duty cut will ease the financial burden on farmers. He added that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi the Centre prioritised public welfare over increasing prices. The government has also imposed export duty of Rs.21.5 per litre on diesel and Rs.29.5 per litre on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to ensure adequate domestic supply and stabilise the market.