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MUMBAI, March 22

THE Maharashtra Government has levied a surcharge of Re 1 on every litre of petrol and diesel with effect from April 1, 2002.

The State Budget, presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Jayant Patil on Friday, also increased electricity duty for industrial and commercial consumers by one percentage point to adjust for "transmission and distribution loss charge''.

The current rates are five per cent for industrial consumers and 11 per cent for commercial consumers.

Besides, the Government has announced an increase in turnover tax for large tax-payers, in electricity duty and resale tax, while announcing reduction in luxury tax on hotels and on sales tax of bullion and gold jewellery.

The State Government has postponed the introduction of value-added tax to April 2003.

It has decided to introduce an entry tax on selected commodities during the course of this year, according to Mr Patil.

This follows demand from local units for protection in view of introduction of such a tax by other States.

A four per cent sales tax has been proposed for automated teller machines, automated cash dispensers, automated MICR chequer readers and softers.

These goods, however, will be exempted from turnover tax.

Medicines have been exempt from resale tax.

Instead, first point sales tax of nine per cent is to be collected.

Life saving drugs, as listed by the Union Government, will be fully exempt from sales tax.

The Budget has reduced, for one year, the 10 per cent rate of luxury tax applicable to hotels to six per cent.

However, luxury tax will now be charged on a `per room per day' basis rather than on a `per person per room' basis.

The Government, frequently criticised for the high stamp duty rates in the State, has announced a slight decrease in duty on mortgage deeds and leave and licence deeds.

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