Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and said the move would benefit the state governments as well as the Centre.

He also assured the Maharashtra government's support on this move if it is implemented. Speaking in the state Legislative Assembly while replying to a debate on the budget, Pawar, who is the Finance Minister, said, “The central government should bring petrol and diesel under the purview of GST. The move will be beneficial to the state governments and the Centre.” He said he has restored the state legislators’ salaries, which was cut by 30 per cent during the COVID-19 lockdown last year, and increased the MLA fund from Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore.