Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister KN Balagopal said that the fuel tax in Kerala was not naturally reduced in proportion to the reduction by the Center but by the state government. The Center has increased the fuel tax from Rs 3 to Rs 30. Eight rupees was deducted from this. The LDF government has not increased fuel tax in Kerala. The first Pinarayi government, which came to power in 2016, has not increased taxes since its inception.
The special cess currently being levied should not be levied by the Central Government. Large sums are levied on special cess items which are to be collected only in very exceptional circumstances. What was being collected at Rs 30 has now been reduced to Rs 22. According to the old calculations, it should be reduced by another 10 to 20 rupees.
During the Oommen Chandy government, the fuel tax was increased 18 times in the state. The figures are ready to be released. Central assistance is also needed to control inflation. Kerala has the lowest inflation rate in the country. VD Satheesan is not ready to say a word against the central government. He is only critical of the state government.