New Delhi, Oct 3 — The government has cut the windfall gains tax on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel, effective October 1.

The special additional excise duty on diesel exports falls from Rs 20 per litre to Rs 16 per litre. On ATF, it falls from Rs 15 per litre to Rs 10.5 per litre. The duty on petrol exports stays at Rs 0.5 per litre.

The finance ministry said the rates are revised every fortnight based on average international crude oil prices. The latest revision follows the fortnight beginning October 1.

The levies were introduced on March 27 to ensure domestic availability of petroleum products by discouraging exports amid the West Asia crisis.

The ministry said there is no change in excise duty rates on petrol and diesel sold for domestic consumption. The tax targets extraordinary export margins, not normal profits. Petrol export duties stay put for the fortnight. Analysts say further revisions will track Brent crude, which surged past $120 a barrel after the war began before easing.