Petrol Crosses Rs 90 Mark in Maharashtra's Parbhani Day After Bharat Bandh Called by Opposition
Despite the protests called by 21 political parties on Monday, the Centre ruled out a cut in excise duties levied on the fuel.
New Delhi, Sept 11: Soaring fuel prices struck a new record on Tuesday as the per litre rate of petrol crossed the Rs 90-mark in Maharashtra's Parbhani. The hikes comes a day after the Opposition called a Bharat Bandh to protest against the unprecedented surge in petrol and diesel prices.
The upswing in fuel rates was seen across India, with petrol turning costlier by 14 paise in Mumbai and Delhi. The per litre cost has jumped to Rs 88.26 and Rs 80.87, respectively. Diesel, meanwhile, was hiked to Rs 77.47/litre in Mumbai and Rs 72.97/litre in Delhi. Check City-Wise Fuel Rates For Sept 11 Here.
Despite the protests called by 21 political parties on Monday, the Centre ruled out a cut in excise duties levied on the fuel. Two Finance Ministry officials, while speaking to reporters, said such a step would adversely impact the economy.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government "shares the concern" of the people burdened by rising fuel prices, but added that the hike is "caused by international factors".
"We are consciously making efforts to cause minimum inconvenience to the people. However, the rates have to be revised due to the increase in international crude oil prices," he said.
The Congress, however, accused the government of exorbitantly levying the central duties which is "burning a hole in the common man's pocket". The duties were raised by Rs 11.77 a litre on petrol and Rs 13,47 a litre on diesel between November 2014 to January 2016, when the global crude oil rates had plummeted.
However, when the international rates strengthened, only duties were reduced by only Rs 2 per litre in October last year. "The high duties are being levied to compensate for the economic misadventures of Prime Minister Modi," the Congress said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2018 09:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).