Fuel prices rise again, petrol touches Rs 90 per litre in Maharashtra

Fuel prices in India continue to soar with each passing day, and there is no sign of respite for the people around the country as Petrol went up again by 19 paise on September 17 in Financial capital Mumbai, while diesel price increased by 9 paise.

Fuel prices on Monday reached Rs 89.45 per litre and diesel Rs 78.33 per litre in Mumbai. Petrol prices reached to Rs 82.06 in Delhi, witnessing a hike of 15 paise since Sunday, while diesel went up 6 paise taking its price to Rs 73.78 per litre.

In Chennai, petrol reached Rs 86.37 while diesel was priced at 78.99. In Kolkata, petrol was priced at Rs 84.20 and diesel at Rs 75.90 per litre. Taking this fuel prices into consideration, West Bengal government decreased the fuel price by Re 1 per litre, Andhra Pradesh decreased by Rs 2 and Rajasthan reduced VAT on diesel and petrol by four per cent, which brought the fuel price down by almost Rs 2.44.

The petrol price hike is the maximum in Maharashtra than rest of the country. In two of its districts, petrol price has already crossed the Rs 90 mark. There has been no respite provided by the state government in this regard.

The Congress has been attacking the Narendr Modi government over the relentless soaring fuel prices and also observed Bharat Bandh on account of the consistent rise in fuel prices. They urged the government to take necessary steps to reduce citizens’ woes, but that seems to have fallen of deaf ears.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi on Sunday said during the UPA, international crude oil prices hovered around $130 per barrel and still, the prices were low, but now when the crude oil prices are around half, the prices of petrol and diesel are touching an all-time high. 

Prices of petrol and diesel vary from one city to another because of differences in local sales tax or VAT (Value Added Tax) and transportation cost. Delhi has the cheapest fuel rates among all metro cities and most state capitals because of lower taxes. Mumbai has the highest sales tax or VAT.

Also read: Rupee depreciates, fuel prices soar; no respite for common man