Karnataka: Petrol, Diesel Get Expensive as State Govt Raises Sales Tax | Fresh Rates Here

Bengaluru: Petrol and diesel prices in Karnataka have increased by ₹3 per litre and ₹3.50 per litre, respectively, following the state government's decision to hike the sales tax on fuel.  According to a state government notification, the Karnataka Sales Tax (KST) has been raised from 25.92 per cent to 29.84 per cent on petrol and from 14.3 per cent to 18.4 per cent on diesel. After the notification, the revised petrol and diesel prices in Bengaluru are effective immediately.  

Fresh Petrol, Diesel Prices in Karnataka

Petrol now costs Rs 102.86 per litre, and diesel is priced at Rs 88.94 per litre, up from Rs 99.84 and Rs 85.93 per litre, respectively. With this Karnataka, led by the Congress party, became the first state to increase fuel prices after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections results in which NDA got 19 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, with BJP winning 17 and JD(S) with 2. The ruling Congress in the state has won nine seats.

BJP Demands Rollback of Petrol, Diesel Price Hike

Reacting to the petrol and diesel price hike, State BJP President BY Vijayendra said,"The BJP is demanding the rollback of the recent petrol and diesel price hike. If the government does not comply, we will initiate protests on Monday. The current administration appears to lack the funds to effectively run the state. We have been persistently protesting against corruption, especially highlighting how funds were transferred out of the state during the elections. "

BJP spokesperson S Prakash said, "Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has steeply increased diesel and petrol prices in this state. Soon after the Parliament elections are over, this hike has been brought. People were expecting Rs 8500 khatakhat in their bank accounts as promised by Rahul Gandhi. On the contrary, they have been hugely burdened by the increase in petroleum products. This is an outcome of guarantee schemes pursued by the State Govt. The State Govt is financially bankrupt, they are trying to extract revenue from whatever is available..."   

Why Karnataka Govt Hiked Petrol and Diesel Prices? 

The move, aimed at resource mobilisation, comes after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the finance minister, reviewed the state's revenue generation and fiscal position. During the meeting, the CM asked officials to work harder towards meeting revenue collection targets.