Gujarat Congress today demanded that the state government reduce value added tax on petrol to give relief to the people from rise of the fuel's price, even as BJP held a state wide dharna protesting the hike.

"Gujarat has maximum tax burden on petrol and diesel.There is VAT of 28 per cent on petrol with additional tax of two percent, while on diesel VAT is of 21 percent with additional tax burden of 3 per cent," Gohil said. Gohil demanded a special rate structure of VAT for petrol and diesel in Gujarat.

Petrol prices were increased by Rs five per litre on Saturday last. "States like Haryana and West Bangal have given relief to people by reducing taxes on petrol and diesel. Gujarat should also do the same instead of making hue and cry over the issue," Gohil said.