Petrol, Diesel Get Costlier In Himachal As Orphan, Widow Cess Added: How Much Will You Pay?

Published 12 August 2026 · india

News india Petrol, Diesel Get Costlier In Himachal As Orphan, Widow Cess Added: How Much Will You Pay? Petrol, Diesel Get Costlier In Himachal As

News india Petrol, Diesel Get Costlier In Himachal As Orphan, Widow Cess Added: How Much Will You Pay? Petrol, Diesel Get Costlier In Himachal As Orphan, Widow Cess Added: How Much Will You Pay? Published By, Last Updated: August 12, 2026, 07:18 IST The cess came into force from August 11, according to a notification issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Taxes and Excise Department. Himachal Pradesh imposes Orphan and Widow Cess on petrol and high-speed diesel to fund welfare for widows and orphans. Petrol and high-speed diesel will become costlier in Himachal Pradesh from August 12, after the state government imposed an Orphan and Widow Cess of 60 paise per litre on both fuels. How Much More Will You Pay For Petrol And Diesel?

The immediate impact for consumers is an additional 60 paise per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel purchased in Himachal Pradesh. A consumer buying 10 litres will pay Rs 6 more, while a 50-litre purchase will attract an additional Rs 30 in cess. For a vehicle with a 40-litre fuel tank, filling it completely would mean an additional Rs 24 because of the new levy. Someone buying 100 litres of fuel would pay Rs 60 more in cess. When Does The New Cess Come Into Effect? The cess came into force from midnight on August 11, 2026, according to a notification issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Taxes and Excise Department. The levy will be imposed at the point of first sale in Himachal Pradesh.

Why Has Himachal Pradesh Imposed This Cess? The Orphan and Widow Cess has been introduced to create a dedicated and sustainable source of revenue for welfare measures for widows and orphans from economically weaker sections, according to the state government. Is This In Addition To Existing Fuel Taxes? Yes. The 60-paise cess will be levied in addition to the taxes already applicable under the existing VAT framework. The levy has been imposed under Section 6-A of the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005, following the passage of the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by the state Legislative Assembly in March. Can The Cess Be Increased Further? The amended law allows the Himachal Pradesh government to impose the Orphan and Widow Cess at a rate of up to Rs 5 per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel.

However, the levy notified by the government currently stands at 60 paise per litre- significantly below the maximum ceiling permitted under the legislation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Himachal Pradesh, India, India First Published: August 12, 2026, 07:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...