Petrol price at an all-time high, crosses Rs 100 in this Rajasthan city

The price of premium-grade petrol has crossed Rs 100 per litre in a Rajasthan city. Normal petrol has also crossed the Rs 90-mark in the state due to high local taxes on fuel. Here is all you need to know:

The sharp rise in fuel prices, triggered by an increase in global crude oil price, is not good for India’s economic recovery. (Photo: Reuters/Representational image)

Fuel prices are hitting fresh record highs in the country every day as global crude oil prices continue to climb. After the fresh rate hike by oil marketing companies (OMC) on Wednesday, the price of branded or premium petrol has crossed Rs 100 per litre in a Rajasthan city.

On Wednesday, petrol and diesel prices were increased by 25 paise per litre each across the country, according to a notification from the OMCs.

The price of a litre of petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 86.30, while it is nearing Rs 93 in Mumbai. It has crossed Rs 93 in most cities in Rajasthan, which has the highest rate of state taxes on fuel. It may be noted that fuel prices vary from state to state in the country, depending on local sales tax and VAT.

Read | Explained: Why fuel prices are rising sharply in India

In Rajasthan’s Sriganganar, the price of premium petrol has now crossed Rs 101 per litre, while normal petrol costs Rs 98.40. The rate for branded petrol in Delhi is Rs 89.10, while it is Rs 95.61 in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, petrol prices are also rising fast in major cities and soon likely to touch Rs 90 per litre if OMCs continue upward revision in prices.

The key difference between regular and premium fuel grades is the octane number. Regular fuel has a lower octane number, while premium fuel generally gets a 91 octane rating. It may be noted that the octane number is the measure of the ignition quality of fuel.

Diesel rates have also climbed to record highs across the country. In Delhi, a litre of diesel now costs Rs 76.23, while in Mumbai it has crossed Rs 83.

Among all states, Rajasthan also has the highest rates for diesel in the country. In Jaipur, a litre of diesel now costs Rs 85.60. In Sriganganagar, the price of diesel is just 32 paise short of touching Rs 90 per litre.

Taxes behind India's high fuel rates

Citizens in the country have started feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices as OMCs continue to hike rates due to a surge in international oil prices.

State-owned fuel retailers including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) had resumed daily price revision on January 6 after nearly a month-long hiatus. Since then, the price of petrol has increased by Rs 2.5, while diesel prices went up by Rs 2.6.

Also Read | Petrol and diesel prices: How much tax you pay on your fuel

Fuel prices had last touched a record high in the country on October 4, 2018. At the time, the government had cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre in a bid to decrease the rising inflationary pressure. State-run fuel retailers also cut prices by Rs 1 per litre.

While appeals have been made to cut fuel prices, it is unlikely that the government will go for an excise duty cut in the wake of lower revenue collections.

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