Rs 1,400 Cr "fee" burden; petrol, diesel dearer in Punjab

Petrol, diesel, electricity, sugar as well as registration of property will now be costlier in Punjab with the state government deciding to levy various "fees" and taxes to mop up additional revenue of Rs 1,400 crore annually.
The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting, which was conspicuously chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, without any reason being given about the absence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The Cabinet decided to introduce 'ID Fee' of Re one per litre on diesel and hiked the 'ID Fee' on petrol from the existing Re one to Rs two per litre. The hike will be more after the addition of local taxes - around 12 per cent on diesel and 30 per cent on petrol.

Electricity for all types of consumers will also become costlier as the state cabinet decided to introduce five per cent ID fee "on value of electricity consumed", an official release said.
Similarly, the Cabinet also approved levy of ID Fee at the rate of 1 per cent on the purchase of immovable property within Punjab," the release said.
Besides, sugar coming to Punjab from other states will also become costlier due to the introduction of Entry Tax which would be 11 per cent.
"These measures are likely to mop up additional revenue of nearly Rs 1,400 crore annually," said the release issued by the Chief Minister's Office.