Aurangabad, Dec 3:
On one side, crude oil prices are falling significantly, but rising fuel prices in Aurangabad and other cities have left citizens baffled and fuming. The general public, which is still struggling to manage their daily expenses amidst the rising prices of essential commodities and other goods are now worried about the constantly rising fuel prices. During the past week, petrol price was hiked by 93 paise per liter and diesel by Rs 1.75 per liter. On Thursday, a liter of petrol cost Rs 90.56 and diesel Rs 80.65 per liter.
Corona outbreak was on the rise in the country as well as in the state after March. The lockdown was carried out to curb this situation. During the three months from March to May, demand for petrol and diesel fell by 90 per cent due to the lockdown. Demand increased after the unlock that started from June-July. On August 1, petrol was priced at Rs 88.34 per liter and diesel at Rs 81.34 per liter. During the month, petrol price was hiked by Rs 1.61 per liter. However, diesel prices remained stable. On September 7, petrol was reduced by 50 paise and diesel by 43 paise per liter. On October 1, petrol prices again increased by 49 paise and diesel at Rs 2.84. After 80 days, petrol and diesel prices started going up. On October 1, petrol cost around Rs 88.96. Fuel prices again skyrocketed in August. In the eleven days, from August 20 to 31, petrol, which was Rs 88.90 a liter, had gone up to Rs 89.95 by the end of August. However, diesel prices remained stable in August.
GST on fuel necessary
"While implementing GST, the central government has excluded petrol-diesel. At present, the central and state governments levy 26 per cent tax on petrol and 24 per cent on diesel. Every time there is a price increase, the amount of tax and the investment of the pump operator also increases. If fuel is included in GST, there will be a single rate across the country. In addition, taxes will be reduced" said, Akhil Abbas, Secretary, Petrol Dealers Association.
Government must control rising prices
The rising fuel prices are a concern for common man. The petrol price touched ninety rupees for a litre. Likewise, the prices of daily essentials have already increased during lockdown, and now the fuel prices have increased. The citizens demanded that the government must control the rising fuel prices.
Sale of fuel in the district for the period June to November:
2019: Petrol: 99,238 Kl and Diesel: 1,63,801 Kl
2020: Petrol: 74,068 Kl and Diesel: 1,27,263 Kl