Bengal govt to reduce tax by Re 1 per litre on petrol, diesel from Feb 22 midnight

The West Bengal government onSunday announced a reduction of tax by Re 1 per litre onpetrol and diesel effective from midnight of February 22.

State Finance Minister Amit Mitra said the move willprovide some respite to people stung by burgeoning prices offuel.

''The Centre earned Rs 32.90 per litre in taxes frompetrol (on February 20), while the state got around Rs 18.46only. In case of diesel, the central government's earning wasRs 31.80 per litre as against about Rs 12.77 for the state,''Mitra said.

He also alleged that the Centre had imposed cess toavoid devolution with states, which is ''against thecharacteristics of federalism''.

To a question, Mitra said the Union government shouldreintroduce the planning commission.