look news india
Shimla: A big and shocking news has come out for the people of Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s government, which is facing financial crisis, has increased the prices of petrol and diesel in the state. ₹5 per liter It has been decided to make a huge increase. This new bill, passed amid huge uproar in the Assembly, has created a new wave of inflation in the state. The government has named this increase as ‘Orphan and Widow Cess’, which will now have a direct impact on the pockets of the common man.
Bill passed in Assembly: Strong uproar from opposition
The ‘Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill’ was approved in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on March 29, 2026. The opposition strongly opposed this bill introduced by Chief Minister Sukhu. Opposition parties argue that after this decision the prices of petrol in the state will increase. ₹100 and diesel ₹90 Will cross. After heated arguments in the House, BJP MLAs staged a walkout and termed the decision as ‘anti-people’.
What is ‘Orphan and Widow Cess’? Government’s argument
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu defended the decision and said that this step has been taken for the welfare of the weakest section of the society. The additional revenue generated from the increase in oil prices will be directly ‘Orphan and Widow Welfare Fund’ Will be deposited in. The government says that this fund will be used for the education of needy children and financial assistance to widows. The Chief Minister also clarified that despite the imposition of cess, oil prices in Himachal remain lower than the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.
There will be a direct impact on the general public and tourism
The impact of increase in prices of petrol and diesel will not be limited only to drivers. Experts believe that this will have far reaching consequences:
Travel will be expensive: There is every possibility of increase in private and government bus fares due to increase in diesel prices.
Freight: Inflation will increase in the market due to cost of transportation of crops, construction materials and food items.
Shock to tourism: Himachal’s economy depends on tourism. The increase in taxi and travel expenses may affect the number of lakhs of tourists coming to the state.
Political conflict: Jairam Thakur’s sharp attack
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, while targeting the government, said that the Sukhu government has become directionless. He described the collection of tax using words like ‘orphan and widow’ as unfortunate. BJP says that the government is passing the burden of its economic failures on the public. There is a strong discussion in the political circles that inflation and this cess will emerge as a big issue in the upcoming elections.
When will the new prices come into effect?
As soon as this bill gets the final approval from the Governor, it will immediately become law and the new rates will become effective at all petrol pumps in the state. The Chief Minister has advised the opposition to demand from the Central Government to reduce the cess so that the people of the state can get relief. For now, residents of the state will now have to be prepared to spend more money for their travel and household budget.