New Delhi (NVI): As petrol price in some cities in India crossed Rs 100 per litre, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today called the rising fuel prices a vexatious issue and called for both Centre and states to talk to bring down fuel prices.
While addressing the media, Sitharaman said, “It’s a vexatious issue in which no answer except for fall in fuel price will convince anyone.”
While expressing her concern on the matter, she said that this is a serious and important issue and both the central and state governments should talk to provide fuel at the appropriate level to consumers.
Fuel prices across India rose for the 12th consecutive day today, with petrol seeing an increase of 39 paisa and diesel of 37 paisa.
With this increase, petrol is now priced at Rs 90.58 and diesel Rs 80.97 per litre (s) in the national capital.
At this price in Delhi, petrol has breached Rs 90 per litre-mark across all metros and around all major cities of the country.
In Mumbai, the petrol price reached an all-time high of Rs 97 a litre, while diesel was selling at ₹88.06 per litre.
In fact, retail price of petrol has crossed Rs 100 a litre-mark in several cities among Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. These states also have one of the highest level of local levies on petroleum products in the country.
In the last 12 days (since February 9), the price has gone up by Rs 3.63 per litre for petrol while the diesel rate has risen by Rs 3.84 a litre.
Interestingly, the crude price has softened marginally over last few days after crossing $ 65 a barrel mark earlier this week. It is around $ 63 a barrel now.
-CHK
