Indian state imposes widow and orphan cess on petrol, diesel: What it means
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Widow and orphan cess on petrol, diesel takes effect in Himachal: What it means Photograph: (X)
Himachal Pradesh has imposed a 60-paise-per-litre Widow and Orphan Cess on petrol and high-speed diesel from August 11. The state government said the revenue will fund welfare measures for widows and orphaned children, while the BJP criticised the levy.
The Himachal Pradesh government has imposed a Widow and Orphan Cess of 60 paise per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel. The cess came into effect from midnight of August 11. The revenue generated from the revised cess will be used to support welfare of widows and orphaned children. The State Taxes and Excise Department issued a notification under Section 6-A of the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005, authorising the levy at the point of first sale of petrol and high-speed diesel in the state.
What is Widow and Orphan Cess?
The Orphan and Widow Cess will be charged at ₹0.60 (60 paise) per litre on petrol as well as high-speed diesel as per notification issued with the approval of the Council of Ministers. The Himachal Pradesh government passed the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly during the Budget Session earlier this year. The Bill was passed by voice vote in the Assembly, providing the legal framework for imposing the additional cess. The government has now exercised that power by fixing the levy at 60 paise per litre, substantially below the maximum ceiling of ₹5 permitted under the amended legislation. The levy will be imposed before the fuel moves through subsequent stages of sale in the state and collected at the first point of sale within the state.The notification has been circulated to the Commissioner, State Taxes and Excise, senior departmental officers and other concerned authorities for implementation.
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Why BJP criticised Widow, Orphan Cess?
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Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Himachal, Jai Ram Thakur, criticised the move and said it was inappropriate to generate revenue “in the name of widows and orphans." Speaking to ANI, Jai Ram Thakur said, "...The Himachal Pradesh government is taking steps towards increasing the prices of petrol and diesel. They have proposed imposing a cess in the name of widows and orphaned children. The Himachal Pradesh government should reconsider. On one hand, the Prime Minister is taking steps to halt the prices of petrol-diesel, and on the other hand, the Himachal Pradesh government is taking steps to further increase those prices."
