Students’ front bats for removal on VAT on diesel for flood-hit farmers

The Punjab Students’ Front has urged the state government to immediately remove Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel in flood-affected areas of Punjab, citing the acute financial distress faced by farmers reeling from crop losses.

At a meeting held at Punjabi University, Patiala, members of the Front said that while farmers are preparing their fields for the upcoming wheat-sowing season, the high cost of diesel has deepened their economic woes.

They demanded that the government not only scrap VAT but also provide diesel at subsidized rates to flood-hit cultivators.

“Thousands of farmers have suffered total crop losses. Diesel is the lifeblood of agriculture, yet its high price is crippling farm operations,” said Yadvinder Singh Yadu, President of the Punjab Students’ Front.

“The government must act swiftly to ensure that farmers are not forced to abandon wheat sowing,” he further added.

Highlighting that Punjab currently levies around 16.82% VAT on diesel, Amrinder Singh, another Front leader, said, “Removing VAT would be a humane and sensitive step that offers immediate relief to farmers and helps revive the state’s agricultural economy.”

Adding to this, Anttpall Singh Brar said, “This move would not only ease the financial burden on farmers but also reinforce the government’s image as genuinely farmer-friendly. Delay in action could push many small farmers to financial collapse.”