Madras High Court Seeks Disclosure of Fuel Tax Components in Bills

Madras High Court Seeks Disclosure of Fuel Tax Components in Bills

The Madras High Court issued a notice to the Central Government and relevant authorities regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks to mandate the disclosure of all tax components in petrol and diesel bills provided to consumers.

Key Points of the Plea and Judicial Action

• Demand for Transparency: The PIL argued that consumers have a right to know the breakup of the final fuel price, which includes various central and state taxes such as Excise Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Dealer Commission. Without this disclosure, consumers cannot ascertain the extent of the tax burden imposed by different governments.
• Writ Issued: The High Court acknowledged the public interest nature of the plea and issued a notice to the Union of India, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and other concerned parties, requiring them to file a response regarding the feasibility and legality of mandating such disclosure.
• Objective: The core objective of the petition is to enforce greater transparency in the pricing structure of auto fuels, thereby empowering consumers.