Mumbai: After the reduction in petrol and diesel prices by the Union government and oil companies, the state government has given a further relief of Rs 2.50 per litre only on petrol and not diesel, resulting in a total effect of Rs 5 on fuel prices. Skyrocketing fuel prices, which were increased by Rs 7-8 per litre in the last two months, will now be come down by Rs 5 per litre. The state government has taken the decision keeping in mind festivals like Dussehra and Diwali. Diesel prices will be reduced by Rs 1-2 per litre across the state very soon, said senior government officials. Fuel prices have been escalating over the last few months. In the last two months alone, petrol prices went up by Rs 7.58 per litre in Mumbai. The rate of petrol was Rs 83.76 on August 1, Rs 86.09 on September 1 and Rs 91.34 on October 4, said pump dealers.
The Union government’s decision to cut fuel prices by Rs 2.5 was prompted by the growing public ire, pressure by the opposition and the forthcoming assembly elections in five states. Responding to the appeal of the Union government, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis too announced a cut in petrol prices by Rs 2.5 across Maharashtra.
Initially, the state government was reluctant to reduce prices because of its financial burden. It was ready to bring fuel prices under GST, as the Union government would have compensated the loss of revenue. But following instructions by the Union government and public pressure, the CM announced the cut. Even though he has not announced any reduction in diesel prices as yet, they are likely to be reduced by Rs 1-2 per litre soon, said sources.
Meanwhile, the opposition lashed out at the state government for not announcing any cut in diesel price. Leader of opposition Dhananjay Munde said the government had looted the people and taken the decision very late. “Maharashtra government reduced only petrol prices, which is unfair,” he said.
