Currently, the price of diesel is Rs 81.94 per litre in Delhi, much higher compared to petrol, which is at Rs 80.43 per litre.

New Delhi, July 30:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a reduction in value-added tax or VAT to 16.75 per cent, which would make the price of diesel in the national capital cheaper by Rs 8.36 per litre. Until now, the VAT was at 30 per cent in Delhi. Currently, the price of diesel is Rs 81.94 per litre in Delhi, higher compared to petrol, which is at Rs 80.43 per litre.

Here are 10 things to know:

  1. The move on value-added tax will will help propel Delhi’s economy, the Chief Minister said while announcing the rate cut through a virtual press briefing.

  2. Reviving Delhi’s economy is a serious challenge, but will be achieved with the cooperation of people, Mr Kejriwal said. The Chief Minister said traders and industrialists had demanded a cut in VAT.

  3. The price of diesel will come down to Rs 73.64 a litre with the reduction in VAT, he said.
    The decision was taken in a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet chaired by the chief minister. 

  4. With effect from 6 am on Thursday, the price of diesel was at Rs 81.94 per litre in Delhi, and that of petrol at Rs 80.43 per litre.

  5. The gap between petrol and diesel rates has been increasing in the metros over past few days, with diesel remaining costlier than petrol in the national capital. 

  6. Petrol and diesel prices are determined broadly by crude oil and forex rates, and vary in different parts of the country due to the incidence of VAT or value-added tax.

  7. The retail fuel prices – the price that the consumer pays for fuel in different parts of the country – are calculated by adding excise duty, dealer commission and VAT on the rate applicable to dealers 

  8. State-run Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum review the prices on a daily basis, and implement any revisions with effect from 6 am. The three account for the majority of fuel stations in the country.

  9. A crash in travel demand due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has hurt oil markets. Currently, global crude oil prices hover around the $44 per barrel mark. 

  10. Though brent crude futures – the global benchmark for oil rates – have recovered from a 21-year low of $15.98 per barrel registered in April, they are still down 33 per cent so far this year.https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1288723225048788992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1288723225048788992%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fbusiness%2Fdiesel-in-delhi-cheaper-by-over-rs-8-to-now-cost-rs-73-64-per-litre-says-arvind-kejriwal-2271242