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</p><p>A new and sensible demand has come up from the fuel pump owners in the country demanding 'One nation one rate' for fuels in order to avoid disparity in prevailing prices of petrol and diesel.</p><p>On Tuesday, All India Petroleum Dealers Association President Ajay Bansal said, "We are demanding 'one nation one rate' for fuel so that there should be no disparity in prices of petrol and diesel in the states. This step will help in controlling prices of this essential commodity." He further said that due to different VAT rates prevailing in states, there was a disparity in fuel prices, which vary between 60 paise and Rs 4 per liter in case of diesel and Re 1 to Rs 7.50 per liter for petrol.</p><p>Adding to it Ajay Bansal said, maximum tax on petrol is levied by Tamil Nadu state, which is about 35 per cent while Goa imposes lowest rate of tax on the commodity. While in case of diesel, Haryana charges lowest tax while states like Rajasthan and West Bengal levy 20-24 per cent tax which is in higher tax slab. "We want the prices of fuel which is an essential commodity should be same throughout the country and states should build consensus on the same. We also demand that petroleum products be brought under GST to ensure one nation one rate", Bansal said.</p><p>The association, which says to be a national body representing more than 52,000 fuel pumps across the country has been meeting chief ministers and state finance ministers to bring them on board with the demand raised. Bansal confirmed that Dhindsa had assured the delegation will consider their demand to lower tax rate on petrol which was the second highest in the country after Tamil Nadu. Because of higher taxes on petrol in Punjab, prices of fuel in the state is costlier by Rs 6/liter comparing to Chandigarh.</p><p>Punjab Petroleum Dealers Association President Sandeep Sehgal said, "Uniformity in VAT rates will lead to cheaper petroleum products to consumers and growth in tax revenue. And it will also cause jump in sale of fuel pumps located in the border areas which are now on the verge of closure due to high tax rates."</p><p>Welcoming the fuel pump owners' demand for 'One nation one rate' in the country, Chief Minister of Goa, Laxmikant Parsekar said, "Goa's petrol rates should be accepted by entire nation. Let all people benefit from the rates. I welcome the move to have 'one nation one rate' concept." The CM added about the prices of petrol in Goa being the lowest at Rs. 58 per liter.&nbsp;</p><p>After winning the election in 2012, the BJP-led state government under then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had removed VAT on petrol, reducing the prices by Rs. 11/liter. Though the government later re-imposed VAT but with a rider that petrol rates would not be allowed to cross Rs.60/liter.</p><p></p>