Will Petrol Prices Reach Rs 100 Mark? Thanks to Pump Machines, Fuel Rates Can't Be Raised Above Rs 99.99/Litre!

New Delhi, Sep 17: Prices of petrol and diesel have been rising across the country since August 1. Hitting a new high, petrol prices have crossed Rs 90 mark in 12 cities of Maharashtra. In the national capital, petrol is being sold at Rs 82.06 per litre. Many fear petrol prices might reach Rs 100 by next month. However, petrol pump machines in India cannot display the amount above Rs 99.99.

Premium petrol, called 99 Octane, is sold Rs 20 more than the cost of regular petrol. Recently, the price of 99 Octane crossed Rs 100 mark, and it was being sold at Rs 100.33 for a litre. However, the machine at a petrol pump showed the price Rs 0.33. When contacted by a portal, the petrol pump owner said fuel dispenser can't handle more than Rs 100. Petrol Prices Cross Rs 90 Mark in 12 Cities of Maharashtra, Check List of Places Where Fuel Rates Are Highest.

A special engineer was then called who re-calibrated the machines to display above Rs 99.99. Besides, the machines were automated which means their value can be changed only from a central server. Therefore, services were suspended to make the required changes from the server, said an India Times report. It means, if petrol and diesel prices reach Rs 100, the government will have to calibrate machines at petrol pumps.

Fuel prices in the country have been going up almost daily since August 1. They fell only once on August 13 and have been on record levels for nearly two weeks now. The rising prices have burnt a hole in the pockets of consumers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2018 02:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).