Assam removes Covid cess; fuel gets cheaper

Petrol and diesel will be cheaper in Assam by ₹5 each and the 25% COVID-19 cess on liquor will be rolled back from midnight on Friday, Assam Finance Himanta Biswa Sarma announced in the 126-member Assembly.

The government would also be increasing the cash assistance to about 20 lakh eligible families from the current ₹830 to ₹3,000 a month, he said while presenting the vote on account for April-July 20-21 in the Assembly on Friday.

Dr. Sarma presented the last budget of the BJP-led alliance government and the announcement is believed to be with an eye on the Assembly elections scheduled by May.