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Market pricing mechanism in fuels distorted by frequent tax hikes: ASSOCHAM

18 Sep 2017 Evaluate

Calling for a cut in the levies on transportation of fuel, the industry body, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in its latest report has said that the consumer are getting restless about a three year high in the petrol and diesel prices because they feels the market pricing mechanism is being distorted by frequent tax hikes when the crude oil prices fell steeply. It noted that even after rising in the last three months, crude oil prices are mere half of $107 per barrel in May, 2014. It also said that if the prices are market determined, the retail prices should have been less than Rs 40 a litre.

The chamber has stated that it is true that crude oil has shot up by about 18 percent from $45.60 per barrel, taking the pump prices of petrol  in Delhi (for instance) to Rs 70.39 per litre from Rs 65.40 three months ago. It also said that the increase in the retail prices is far less than hike in crude oil, but the consumer is not willing to compare the crude prices of $45.60 in June versus $54 per barrel today. Adding further, it pointed out that with $107 per barrel, the retail price of auto fuel was Rs 71.51 per litre, then how come it is about the same when the Indian basket of crude is trading at half that level at $53.83 per barrel, the consumers would ask.

The report further said that even though the pricing regime has been linked to market determined rates, a sharp hike in taxes in the form of excise and sales tax or VAT by the Centre and states have distorted the path of reforms. It also said that consumers cannot be faulted because the reforms cannot be one way. It added that if the exchequer got a windfall on drop in crude prices by additional taxes, the same must be reduced commensurately. Besides, it noted that while the government needs resources for building infrastructure and welfare schemes, over-dependence on petrol and diesel, both by the centre and the states would hamper the economic growth.

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