With the irregular philosophy of fuel price fluctuations maintained by the Oil Manufacturing Companies (OMC) in the Indian industry, the car owners are really unhappy. Mr. Banerjee, a middle-aged businessman of Kolkata, who daily travels around 40 km in his Maruti Suzuki DZire, petrol model, is quite exhausted by the unfavourable fluctuations in the fuel prices. With the recent hike of almost Rs 2.50 in the petrol prices, taking the actual prices to around Rs 76.13 a litre, he was quite dissatisfied with the government’s approach. Adding fuel to the injuries of commuters, the prices of diesel were also revaluated in Kolkata by 92 paisa per litre.
The same circumstances are faced by a number of commuters in several states of the country, wherein the fuel prices have been revised. Considering the same situation in other metropolitans, Mumbai witnessed a petrol price hike by 91 paisa, making the situation difficult for the daily travellers. The diesel prices in the state were also increased by 89 paisa per litre, which earlier remained constant for quite a long time. However, the prices of fuel in national capital remain untouched. As per the records, Karnataka was the first state to reduce the prices of diesel and petrol, owing to the exerted pressure by several government organisations.
It must be noted that in June 2009, the petrol prices were Rs. 40.62 per litre in the national capital and in the present scenario the rates are surged to Rs. 68.48 per litre. The difference in both the figures shows a whooping gap of 168 per cent, which took place in a mere span of 3 years.
Inclining in the favour of the citizens residing in 11 different states, the respective governments stepped forward and reduced the fuel prices. In Chennai, the petrol rates dipped 97 paisa owing to the price reduction channelled in Tamil Nadu. Adding to the relief of commuters, the diesel prices in the state were also reduced by mere 12 paisa, however a little also makes a difference.
Over the years, the reason behind fuel price hike has been stated as the increase in cost of crude oil in the international markets. However, when fuel prices on the global scale went down, the reason then shifted to falling value of rupee against the dollar. Whatever the reason might be, the hikes have proved to be a major worry for the average Indian.
