Centre ready to bring fuel under GST: Hardeep Singh Puri

New Delhi: The Centre is ready for bringing petrol and diesel under the GST regime but it is unlikely that the states will agree to such a move, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday.

"For bringing the petrol and diesel under the GST, the States have to agree. If the States make the move, we are ready. We have been ready all along. That's my understanding. It is another issue how to implement it. That question should be addressed to the finance minister," Puri told reporters here.

The minister, however, pointed out that it is unlikely that the States will agree to such a move as liquor and energy are revenue generating items for them. "It is not difficult to understand, they (States) get revenue out of this. One who is getting revenue, why would he leave it? Liquor and energy are two things that generate revenue. It is only the Central government which is worried about inflation and other things," he added.

The Union minister said the Kerala High Court had suggested that the issue be placed before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council for discussion at its last meeting in Lucknow. "The Finance Minister of that State did not agree. As far as GST is concerned, your wishes and my wishes apart, we are in a cooperative federal system," he said.

Asked if the people can expect some respite in terms of fuel prices, the Minister said India has seen one of the lowest increases in these prices in the past one year. "I am surprised by your question. In lighter vein, people are asking me when the prices will rise again. In North America, the fuel prices went up by 43% in one year but in India it went up by only 2%"