National
Himachal Pradesh Introduces 60-Paise Fuel Cess for Orphan and Widow Welfare
The Himachal Pradesh government has introduced a 60-paise-per-litre cess on petrol and high-speed diesel to support welfare programmes for orphaned children and widows, while the BJP has criticised the move over its potential impact on transportation and essential commodity prices.
The Himachal Pradesh government has imposed an Orphan and Widow Cess of 60 paise per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel, with the revised prices coming into effect from midnight on August 11. The State Taxes and Excise Department issued the notification under Section 6-A of the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, 2005.
The cess will be levied at the first sale of petrol and high-speed diesel in the state. Revenue collected through the levy will be credited towards welfare measures for orphaned children and widows. The amended law permits the government to impose a cess of up to ₹5 per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel.
The decision has drawn criticism from BJP State Chief Spokesperson and MLA Rakesh Jamwal, who described the levy as anti-people. He argued that the impact of higher diesel prices would extend beyond vehicle owners because most essential commodities in the hilly state are transported by road.
According to Jamwal, increased transportation costs could affect the prices of cement, steel, sand and gravel, fruits and vegetables, ration and other essential commodities, potentially adding to the financial burden on consumers.
The government, meanwhile, has positioned the cess as a dedicated revenue source for welfare programmes benefiting vulnerable sections, including orphaned children and widows.
