Kerala govt likely to roll back fuel cess by 1 re

Kerala Government is likely to roll back the cess on petrol and diesel by 1 rupee. Sources in the government told BPNS that the decision is likely to be announced on Wednesday.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 5 (BPNS)

Kerala Government is likely to roll back the cess on petrol and diesel by 1 rupee. Sources in the government told BPNS that the decision is likely to be announced on Wednesday.

It may be noted that in the state budget for 2023-24, the state finance minister, K.N. Balagopal has given a shocker to the Keralites by imposing a cess of Rs 2 for petrol and diesel per litre. This has led to several protests in the state with the opposition UDF warning of a series of agitations in the state.

The ruling left democratic front was in a spot following the heavy criticisms from across the state and the CPI-M state secretary, M.V. Govindan had met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday. Sources in the CPI-M told BPNS that the party secretary has told the Chief Minister that across the state people are unhappy over the cess imposed on petrol and diesel.

The opposition UDF which had announced a series of protests against the imposition of CESS will conduct a meeting on Monday and is likely to hold protest marches on Tuesday.