Shimla: The Bharatiya Janata Party state unit in Himachal Pradesh has voiced strong opposition to the provincial government’s decision to levy an Orphan and Widow Cess of 60 paise per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel, warning that the new charge will escalate fuel prices and place an additional financial strain on households across the hill state. The levy officially went into effect from midnight on August 11 following legislative amendments passed by the state assembly earlier this year.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition party, Himachal Pradesh BJP media in-charge Karan Nanda stated that the new cess represents the initial phase of a broader effort by the state government to raise taxes on petroleum products. Nanda pointed out that legislative provisions already allow for a potential tax increase of up to 5 rupees per litre, suggesting that further hikes amounting to 4.40 rupees per litre could be implemented in the future. He noted that fuel prices in the state had previously been raised by a cumulative 6 rupees per litre through value-added tax adjustments made on two separate occasions in 2023.
The opposition expressed concern over the cascading impact of higher fuel costs on daily living expenses, highlighting that transportation remains a critical component for supplying essential goods across mountainous terrain. Increased freight charges directly inflate the prices of groceries, vegetables, and basic commodities, placing a heavy burden on ordinary consumers. The party also criticized broader fiscal decisions, including previous increases in value-added taxes on cement, higher public transport fares, and additional electricity levies.
Rejecting the state administration’s assertion that revenue shortfalls stem from reduced financial devolution from the Centre, the BJP urged the government to explore alternative revenue streams rather than repeatedly taxing essential commodities like petrol and diesel. While acknowledging the state’s intent to fund social welfare programmes for widows and orphaned children, opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and state party president Dr. Rajiv Bindal, affirmed that they would continue to protest against measures that increase consumer costs.
