Diesel made cheaper by Rs 4.06 per litre in Maharashtra

Diesel in Maharashtra will be cheaper by Rs 4.06 in Maharashtra, with the state government Friday announcing a cut in taxes on the fuel.

The state government slashed the diesel prices by Rs 1.56 per litre, a day after the central government reduced the rates on the fuel by Rs 2.50 a litre.

The Maharashtra government had Thursday reduced the prices of petrol by Rs 2.50 per litre after the Centre cut the prices by Rs 2.50 per litre, making this fuel cheaper by Rs 5 per litre in the state.

"Happy to announce relief on diesel too! After the relief of Rs 2.50 per litre by the GOI (government of India), Maharashtra government decided to further add its share of Rs 1 per litre along with 56 paisa tax and the effective cost reduction will be Rs 4.06 per litre in Maharashtra," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Fadnavis had told reporters in Nashik, about 200km from here in north Maharashtra, that his government would reduce local taxes on diesel so that the consumers get relief of Rs 4 per litre.

The diesel prices were left untouched Thursday by the state government, which had said an assessment was being made on this front.

Speaking in Nashik, Fadnavis lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the Centre's decision to reduce petrol and diesel prices.

The chief minister also said the Maharashtra government has a positive stand on bringing petrol and diesel under the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST).