Petrol, diesel & liquor to become cheaper in Assam from next month onwards: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: Petrol, diesel and liquor will become cheaper in Assam from next month onwards as state government will withdraw additional duties levied during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Assam finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “All the additional duties levied during the COVID-19 pandemic will be withdrawn while I will present the vote on account.”

As Assam is likely to go for assembly polls in April, the state government instead of a full budget is likely to present vote on account in the state assembly next month. In May last year, Assam increased excise duty on Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) by 25%. In April last year Assam government increased tax on petrol and diesel roughly by Rs 5 per litre.

Sarma, who is also the health minister recently said, “There is huge improvement in the situation and in a way there is no COVID-19 in Assam now. From 3500 COVID positive cases we came to a level where there are hardly 30 to 40 cases.” He added, “As of now Assam is safe. If strain from the United Kingdom does not come here we are safe. However we have to revert to restriction if strain from Britain comes here. I cannot guarantee that strain will not come here.”


The health minister said, “The existing strain in Assam has weakened. Several people told me during the recent council elections, I broke Covid protocols, I checked and roamed around to find if COVID-19 comes back, however convulsively I found that it has not come back.” Meanwhile after 10 months schools of Assam reopened for primary students on Friday. Schools opened in a staggered manner amidst Covid protocol. Class started for I to V. Sending students to school is not compulsory and depends on parents’ consent.