In India, fuel prices exhibit significant disparities across states, primarily driven by variations in Value Added Tax (VAT) and local cesses imposed by state governments. Non-BJP ruled states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, impose much higher taxes on petrol, resulting in prices around ₹116 per litre and above ₹113 per litre, respectively. These states have implemented steep VAT rates and additional levies, which contribute to the high costs for consumers. In contrast, BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana benefit from lower petrol prices, typically between ₹95-98 per litre, due to more moderate taxation policies. The Union government has attempted to alleviate the burden on consumers by slashing central excise duties, but many non-BJP states have not followed suit in reducing their VAT, leaving consumers in these regions to face inflated prices. The recent rise in global crude oil prices has further exacerbated the situation, leading to an increase in domestic fuel prices by ₹4.74 per litre for petrol and ₹4.82 per litre for diesel, highlighting the significant impact of local taxation on fuel costs.