Karnataka to consider cess cut on petrol price after polls

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda has said that his government would look into the possibilities of reducing cess on petrol after the June 11 biennial elections to the state Legislative Council.

"I will look into the possibilities of reducing cess on petrol soon after the elections to the legislative council. For now, I can't comment on the issue due to model code of conduct," he told reporters.

The statement comes in the wake of state Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson C T Ravi urging Mr Gowda to emulate the BJP government in neighbouring Goa in reducing cess on petrol to reduce the burden on the common man imposed by the recent steepest ever hike of Rs 7.50 per litre.

Strongly condemning the Central government for the hike in petrol price, Mr Gowda claimed that the UPA did not address the issue, Chief Ministers and Ministers would have to use cycles for official work.

"During UPA tenure, the hike in petroleum products has been affected many times. The UPA should address the issue as soon as possible," he added.

Mr Gowda said that the latest hike had added to the woes of the common people, who are already hit by rising inflation. "The UPA government should immediately withdraw the steep petrol hike," he added.