Maharashtra to cut petrol prices by ₹5/ litre and diesel prices by ₹3/litre, says CM Shinde

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on announced that the state government had decided to cut petrol prices by ₹5 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced that the state government had decided to cut value added tax on petrol prices by ₹5 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre.

Shinde informed reporters after a cabinet meeting at Mantralaya that the decision would entail a burden of ₹6,000 crore on the state exchequer.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said the decision was part of the Shiv Sena-BJP government’s commitment to people’s welfare.

“Great relief to Maharashtrian & Marathi Manus ! Happy to announce that new Government under CM Eknathrao Shinde has decided to reduce Petrol & Diesel prices by ₹5/litre & ₹3/litre respectively,” Fadnavis later tweeted.

“This is our step towards the appeal made by Hon PM @narendramodi ji for benefit to common citizens. State will carry burden of ₹6000 crore for this decision,” he added.

After winning the floor test in the assembly, Shinde had announced a relief from rising fuel prices.

“A decision to reduce VAT on fuel will be taken soon to provide relief to the people of the state,” the newly appointed Maharashtra chief minister later tweeted in Marathi.

The chief minister's big decision to cut fuel prices comes ahead of the much-awaited cabinet expansion which is expected to take place after the presidential polls.