Acche din? Petrol, diesel price hike, Mamata feels their pain

New Delhi: While television studios are busy dissecting the series of political twists and turns that took place in Karnataka in the wake of the Assembly election results, it is the astronomical fuel price hike that has left commoners huffing and puffing. From Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata to Bengaluru, people from across the country are finding it hard to carry on with their day today activities.

As travelling along with other essential items have become very expensive, thanks to rising petrol and diesel prices. Petrol price increased by 33 paisa a litre in Delhi -- the highest since the daily price revision came into force in mid-June 2017, and diesel by 26 paisa, according to price notification issued by state-owned oil firms. Petrol costs Rs 78.91 per litre and diesel Rs 70.12 in Kolkata, the notification said. Rates vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT. Prices in Delhi are the cheapest among all metros and most state capitals. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices, saying it will affect common people.

"We are very concerned about the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This will certainly affect prices all around. Common people, farmers and many will suffer," Banerjee said on her official Twitter handle.Speaking to ANI, people of Mumbai, where petrol costs Rs 84.07 per litre, say, "Why are prices so high in Mumbai when it is comparatively lower in Gujarat and Delhi? It is tough for those who have to travel every day. We shell out Rs 120 for petrol regularly." Locals in Delhi also share similar views. Speaking to ANI, they say, "The government must bring down prices of petrol. They must reduce excise duty and use other measures. The prices are already so high."

Prices of petrol in Delhi touched Rs 76.24 per litre in the recent past. Trying to calm frayed nerves of commoners, Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the hike in the fuel prices is due to the less production of oil in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and hike in crude oil price in the international market on Sunday in Odisha. Pradhan assured the citizens that the Centre will soon find a solution to tackle the situation. The minister added, "I accept that citizen of India and especially the middle-class family have to suffer a lot due to price hike of oil. It's not in our hand. There is less production of oil in the OPEC countries. The Indian government will soon come out with a solution."