Belagavi: To arrest rising fuel prices in the country, Karnataka Forest Minister Umesh Katti on Wednesday hoped that the central government would reduce taxes on petroleum products before Deepavali.

"Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi are thinking about reducing taxes on petroleum products. I hope, before Deepavali, the Centre will reduce taxes to arrest rising fuel prices in the country," he told reporters here.

According to media reports, the Petroleum Ministry has sought reduction of fuel prices and held discussions with the Finance Ministry on the issue.

The Petroleum Ministry is pro-actively working on the tax issue so that people get some relief. The final decision, however, will be taken by the Finance Ministry.