Amid protests across the country on Monday over rising fuel prices, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced a reduction in Value-Added Tax (VAT) of Rs 2 each on petrol and diesel prices.
PTI reported that Naidu criticised the centre for the rise in fuel prices during his daily teleconference with party leaders. The report quoted him as saying, "This is becoming an unbearable burden on the common man."
PTI also reported that many opposition party workers were detained in Andhra Pradesh as they protested against the rising prices of diesel and petrol.
The Left and Jana Sena joined the Congress's protests while the ruling Telugu Desam Party held separate protests against the price of petroleum products.
Daily life was affected in Andhra Pradesh due to the Bharat bandh as many educational institutions and petrol pumps remained shut.
Naidu's decision comes after Rajasthan cut VAT on petrol and diesel, which reports said would provide a relief of Rs 2.5 on each in the state.
Reports said the reduction would cost the Rajasthan exchequer a whopping Rs 2,000 crore.