Petrol, diesel prices rise in Himachal Pradesh as government imposes 60-paise orphan and widow cess

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Shimla, August 12

Petrol and high-speed diesel prices have increased in Himachal Pradesh after the state government imposed an Orphan and Widow Cess of 60 paise per liter on the two fuels, with the State Taxes and Excise Department issuing a notification to this effect.

The revised prices came into effect from midnight on Tuesday, with consumers now paying an additional 60 paise per liter for petrol and high-speed diesel.

According to the notification, the cess has been imposed on the first sale of petrol and high-speed diesel, or the point of first sale, under Section 6-A of the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, 2005.

The department said the revenue collected through the cess would be utilized to strengthen welfare schemes for orphaned children and widows in the state.

The move will lead to a corresponding increase in the retail prices of petrol and high-speed diesel across Himachal Pradesh.