The Meghalaya cabinet has decided to cut the fuel price by Rs 2.50 per litre, but the decision will cost the state exchequer dearly in the financial-crunch state.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after the cabinet meeting that the state cabinet has approved the proposal of the taxation department to bring down the fuel prices in the state in line with the central government’s decision.
On October 4, the Centre had announced marginal relief to the soaring fuel prices by resorting to excise duty cut of Rs. 1.50 and another Re 1 drop by oil marketing companies, taking the cut in petrol and diesel prices to Rs. 2.50 per litre.
The Centre also asked the states to reduce the price by Rs 2.50 per litre so that the total reduction will work out to Rs 5 per litre.
Tynsong said reducing the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 2.50 per litre will force the state government to incur extra expenditure of Rs 15 Cr yearly.
Asked how Meghalaya which is reeling under financial crisis would recover the extra expenditure and improve its revenue collection, Tynsong said various revenue generating departments have been entrusted to find out ways and means to general additional resources.
As on Wednesday, the price of petrol in Meghalaya was Rs 81.66 per litre and diesel Rs 73.94 per litre.
Tynsong said that the reduction by another Rs 2.50 per litre will be with effect from Thursday morning.