Prayargaj: The union government’s decision to raise petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2.61 and Rs 2.71 per litre respectively has once again drawn strong reactions from consumers in Sangam city, with many warning that the hike will fuel inflation and push up the cost of essential goods like vegetables and passenger fare.The rise has also marked the fourth fuel price hike in the last 10 days with a cumulative increase of Rs 7.5, as state-run oil companies continue revisions to recover losses incurred after keeping rates unchanged despite global crude oil prices increasing. On May 15, petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 each. Similarly, prices were increased by 90 paise per liter on May 19 and on May 23 again, petrol was hiked by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre. Meanwhile, the price of crude oil has fallen by 5.4% in the international market, bringing it down to $98.01 per barrel. “By increasing petrol and diesel prices four times in past 10 days, the Modi Government has put an additional burden of inflation on the public, who were already suffering,” said Pramod Tiwari, deputy leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.Reminding of the past, he mentioned that in the year 2014, during the UPA government, despite purchasing crude oil at nearly $125 per barrel, the Manmohan Singh government did not let petrol exceed Rs 70.41 per liter and diesel exceed Rs 55.49 per liter. Currently, during the tenure of the Modi government, despite crude oil being at $98.01 per barrel, petrol is priced at Rs 102.12 per liter and diesel at Rs 95.20 per liter, delivering a severe blow of inflation to the public day by day.Pointedly, commuters too have criticised the rise in fuel prices claiming that it will directly impact on freight charges, passenger fares, and the costs of essential commodities. The prices of all goods—including milk, vegetables, food grains, and oilseeds—are to be increase in days to come. A Civil Lines resident said, “Rising prices is set to leave its impact on essential commodities in days to come”.
