India raises export duties on diesel

REUTERS, New Delhi

India has further ​raised a windfall tax on exports of ‌diesel and aviation turbine fuel it imposed last month to ensure adequate domestic supply.

In a government notification on ​Saturday, India’s finance ministry increased the tax ​on diesel exports to 55.5 rupees per litre from 21.5 rupees per litre, and on ​exports of aviation turbine fuel to 42 rupees ​per litre from 29.5 rupees per litre, effective immediately. India also last month cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by ​10 rupees ($0.11).

Separately, to control a rise in airfares, ​it has also capped a monthly increase in aviation turbine ‌fuel prices for domestic airlines at 25 percent in April. Jet fuel accounts for up to 40 percent of an airline’s expenses. Global oil prices have surged past $100 ​per barrel ​as the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a conduit ​for 40 percent of India’s crude oil ​imports, remains heavily restricted due to the US-Iran war.

India, which ranks among the top five refining nations globally and is ​also the world’s third-biggest oil ​importer and consumer, relies heavily on overseas supplies.