Fuel prices in Himachal Pradesh have increased after the Congress-led state government imposed an additional ₹5 cess on petrol and diesel, a move that is expected to place a significant financial burden on consumers across the state.
According to estimates, the latest hike will result in an additional annual burden of over ₹1,000 crore on the public, directly impacting household expenses and transportation costs.
This is not the first increase in fuel-related taxes in the state. Earlier, the government had already raised Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel twice, adding more than ₹10 per litre to fuel prices. With the newly introduced cess, the total additional burden has now reached approximately ₹15 per litre, further escalating fuel costs for residents.
The opposition has strongly criticized the decision, calling it an anti-people move by the Congress government. Political leaders alleged that the much-publicized “KhataKhat model” promoted by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi has now turned into a “failed” or “outdated model,” accusing the government of increasing financial pressure on common citizens.
The fuel price hike has sparked political debate in the state, with opposition parties demanding a rollback of the cess and relief for the general public amid rising living expenses.
