India, March 27 -- Pramod Sawant has welcomed the Union Government's decision to significantly reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel, calling it a timely step to ease the burden on citizens.

Under the revised structure, excise duty on petrol has been cut from 13 to 3 per litre, while diesel has been brought down from 10 per litre to nil. The move comes amid rising global crude oil prices and concerns over fuel affordability.

Sawant stated that the decision would help stabilise fuel availability and ensure smoother supply across the country. He also noted that the reduction would provide much-needed support to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), which have been under pressure due to increasing input costs.

The Chief Minister added that t...