Bring natural gas, aviation turbine fuel in GST ambit: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday asked for inclusion of natural gas and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) in the goods and services tax (GST).

Key petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, crude oil, natural gas and ATF, were kept out of the GST regime due to the revenue dependence of state governments in this sector. Addressing India Energy Forum by CERA Week in Delhi, Pradhan said, “I make a strong appeal to finance minister to take this up in the GST Council and at least make a beginning by including natural gas and ATF in GST.”

India is expected to garner an estimated investment of $58 billion in exploration and production sector by 2023. Regarding the concerns related to the exploration sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the country would honour contracts with producers.