Fuel prices are on the rise in Indian States and Goa is not an exception. Earlier, Goa boasted of lowest fuel (petrol, diesel, gas) prices in the country. Ministers have combative election speeches glorifying this fact.
However, we have seen in the successive years that the VAT on petrol has been gradually hiked. To compare, the crude oil price in 2014 was ~93$ a barrel, cut short to 2021, we have crude oil price at ~59$.
Though the oil price has reduced over years, fuel price has hiked. The numbers speak for themselves. The government has deregulated fuel prices (so that the fuel price moves in tandem with the crude oil), but has been collecting high taxes (central+ state).
Currently, taxes comprise of ~140% of the base fuel price in India. Such taxes are purportedly collected for nation building, such as for the development projects.
Despite collecting higher taxes, it is difficult to comprehend the reason for poor state of road infrastructure. Taxing of fuel is easy to do, but has devastating ramifications on the monthly finances of a middle class individual who ferries between his house and workplace everyday.
I hope rational thinking prevails in the minds of policymakers in the future.
