The Karnataka Government has been urged to bring down sales tax on petrol and diesel.

Receiving the first sample of crude from Sakhalin-1 project in Russia at New Mangalore Port, Mr Murli Deora, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that high sales tax is levied on petrol and diesel by some States, including Karnataka.

It is time the Government reduces it. "I am sure that the Karnataka Chief Minister will accept this suggestion."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr M. Veerappa Moily, Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, said that though the prices of petrol and diesel were reduced recently, the people of Karnataka did not benefit because of the high sales tax in the State.

"The State Government should reduce sales tax on petroleum products."

A message from Chief Minister Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy was read out on the occasion.