Maha to abolish local tax on petrol, diesel within 15 days

The Maharashtra government has decided to abolish the Local Body Tax (LBT) within 15 days on petrol and diesel to end the disparity between fuel dealers and other traders.

The decision comes after discussions between the state government and petrol/diesel pump owners over its imposition. State Finance Minister Sudhir <g data-gr-id="12">Mungantiwar however</g> said that the government will impose an alternate tax in place of LBT. “The fuel dealers’ contention is that those whose pumps are within the jurisdiction of any of the 25 Municipal Corporations in the state are required to pay the LBT while others are not,” Mungantiwar said. “They say the LBT eats into the businesses of those who pay the tax and hence wanted us to abolish the LBT,” he said. The minister claimed that the fuel dealers are ready to accept the imposition of an alternate tax in lieu of LBT.