Maha collects more than Rs 1300 cr as drought cess in Oct-Mar

The Maharashtra government has collected more than Rs 1,300 crore through cess levied on petrol and diesel from from October last year to March.

State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in an RTI reply said the government collected Rs 406.70 crore and Rs 930.60 crore, respectively, as drought cess from the sale of petrol and diesel since September 30 last year.

"The government needed additional revenue sources as more than half of the state is reeling under severe drought for the last three years. Thus, we had decided to collect a drought cess to help the people in drought-stricken areas," he said.

"We have been able to collect more than Rs 1300 crore," he added.