Sasmit Patra, a Rajya Sabha MP representing Bhubaneswar, has formally requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address the long-standing issue of including petrol and diesel in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. In a letter, Patra emphasized the urgent need for discussion at the upcoming GST Council meeting, citing the rising costs of fuel and their significant impact on inflation affecting households and businesses. He pointed out that high fuel prices contribute to increased transportation costs, which in turn elevate food prices and overall inflation rates. The MP also referenced Article 279A of the Indian Constitution, which allows the GST Council to recommend the inclusion of petroleum products under GST. Patra argued that the current exclusion of petrol and diesel from GST has resulted in price discrepancies across different states, largely due to varying Value Added Tax (VAT) rates. He urged for a formal agenda item to facilitate comprehensive deliberation and consensus-building between the Central and state governments on this critical issue.