Govt hikes windfall tax on petrol, diesel exports, marginally cuts ATF levy

The government has raised the windfall tax on petrol exports and adjusted diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) export levies, with changes effective from September 1. The special additional excise duty (SAED) plus a road and infrastructure cess on diesel exports is now Rs 25 per litre, up from Rs 24. ATF SAED has been set at Rs 19 per litre, down from Rs 19.5. For petrol, the export duty has been increased to Rs 1.5 per litre from zero, effective September 1. The finance ministry said the adjustments follow escalating tensions in West Asia and aim to improve domestic fuel availability while limiting exporters’ advantage from global price differences. The duty rates for petrol and diesel cleared for domestic use remain unchanged.