Hyderabad: With petrol prices touching Rs 100 per litre in many parts of the country, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said due to an increase in prices of crude oil in international markets, consumer price (for petrol & diesel) has risen.
The Union Minister, though, said that the prices will soften gradually. Global supply of oil was reduced due to COVID-19, in turn affecting production as well, he added.
Pradhan also said that the GST council is being requested "to include petroleum products under its purview as it will benefit people."
He, however, said that the final call will be taken by the council.
While attacking the opposition on the tax levied on petrol by the States, he said, "Sonia ji must know Rajasthan & Maharashtra have maximum tax. Earnings of Centre and State were negligible during lockdown. We've allocated large chunks to various sectors in Budget to increase jobs."
Petrol and diesel prices have been rising continuously since February 9. During this phase of price rise (In the last 12 days since February 9), the price has gone up by Rs 3.63 per litre for petrol while diesel rate has risen by Rs 3.84 a litre in Delhi.
The increase in the previous weeks has taken petrol price across historic high levels of Rs 100 a litre in several cities across the country.
Petrol is priced at Rs 90.93 a litre and diesel Rs 81.32 a litre in the capital today.
In Mumbai, petrol prices is just Rs 3 per litre short (Rs 97.34 a litre) of touching the three digit mark for the very first time ever. Diesel prices in the city is closing in on Rs 90 a litre (Rs 88.44/ litre).
In all other metros, petrol is over Rs 90 a litre while diesel is well over Rs 80 a litre. Premium petrol crossed Rs 100 per litre mark in several cities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra a few days back.
(With inputs from agencies)
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