The Maharashtra government has announced a decrease of 2 percent on Value Added Tax – VAT charges on kerosene and diesel. Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr. Prithviraj Chavan announced this decision after meeting the state cabinet today in Mumbai. Later, addressing mediapersons, Mr. Chavan said that this decision was taken keeping in mind the larger public interest although the state coffers will suffer a loss of 500 crore Rupees due to this tax reduction. Henceforth, for Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai regions, the VAT applicable will be 24 percent while for the rest of Maharashtra, it will be 21 percent. Following the decision, diesel prices in Maharashtra are expected to reduce by 72 paise per litre and those of kerosene by 28 paise.The Chief Minister today also applauded the State Police and the Crime Branch for successfully solving the noted journalist Jyotirmoy Dey’s murder case. The Chief Minister also announced that a six member committee has been appointed to deliberate upon the formation of a strict and stringent law for protecting journalists.