Panaji, Mar 27 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday welcomed the Central government's decision to slash excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each, stating that the timely intervention will ensure fuel stability and provide relief to citizens.

The government, in a notification on Thursday, stated that the special additional excise duty on petrol has been cut from Rs 13 per litre to Rs 3, and the same on diesel from Rs 10 per litre to nil. The move aims to shield domestic consumers from a surge in global oil prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The government has also brought back duties on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

Taking to X, Sawant lauded the Union government's decision to slash the excise duty on petrol and diesel.

"This is a clear reflection of the government's commitment to protecting citizens and shielding the common man from the impact of rising global crude oil prices due to the conflict in West Asia," he wrote.

The timely intervention will ensure fuel stability, support oil marketing companies, and provide major relief to the people of the country, he said in the post. PTI RPS ARU

Excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel aim to stabilise fuel prices and ease consumer burden. Excise duty on petrol and diesel has been reduced to moderate domestic fuel prices and shield consumers from the impact of rising global crude oil prices. The special additional excise duty on petrol has been cut from Rs 13 per litre to Rs 3 per litre, while the corresponding duty on diesel has been reduced from Rs 10 per litre to nil. Duties have also been reintroduced on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel to support oil marketing companies and mitigate external market volatility.