Petrol to be dearer by 20 paise in Goa on green cess: Parrikar

Petrol prices in Goa will shoot up by 20 paise once the green cess announced by the state government in Budget 2013-14 comes into force, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.
The state government, which proposed the cess to the tune of 0.5 per cent in its Budget, will implement it after passing a legislation during the ongoing Budget session of the state Legislative Assembly.
"The prices of petrol will increase by 20 paise from the time the cess comes into effect. Similarly, the prices of other fuels like diesel will also go up," Parrikar told reporters here after the state Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet today approved green cess on petroleum products, in the view of working out solutions to reduce the carbon footprint.
Parrikar in his Budget speech delivered on March 18 had said that the use of various petroleum products in the daily life of people was contributing towards the carbon footprint and announced a green cess on all petroleum products at the rate of 0.5 per cent, sold or bought in Goa.
"A legislation in this respect will be brought before this august house in this session itself. The money collected will be utilised for various solutions to reduce carbon footprint", the Chief Minister had said.

The BJP-led government under Parrikar brought prices of petrol down by Rs 11 by doing away with the Value Added Tax (VAT) on it since it took the reigns in March, 2012.