59% respondents cutting spends to cope with rising fuel prices: survey

Most want centre to reverse Covid excise duty, states to prune VAT rate or replace ad valorem rate with flat tax structure

As many as 89 per cent respondents to a survey want the union government to reverse the Covid-related excise duty on petrol and diesel imposed in May, 2020. Also, 79 per cent want their state governments to either reduce VAT rate or replace ad valorem rate with flat tax structure. As many as 59 per cent say they are cutting spending to cope with high petrol and diesel prices.

However, 45 per cent also found relief from work from home or less travel these days. The survey was conducted by LocalCircles, a community social media platform, in 291 districts of India, including Ganganagar in Rajasthan where premium petrol brands crossed Rs 100. Meanwhile,  four states --West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan and Meghalaya -- have cut states taxes on these fuels.