(F.E)
Petrol and diesel prices have been left unchanged once again by Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) keeping prices steady for well over 100 days now even as crude oil prices soar. Petrol in the National Capital of Delhi currently retails at Rs 95.41 per litre while diesel in the city is priced at Rs 86.67 per litre. In Mumbai, a litre of petrol and diesel cost Rs 109.98 and Rs 94.14, respectively. Fuel prices have been stable since the central government cut excise duty to bring down retail rates from record highs in November last year. Public sector OMCs including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) revise the fuel prices daily in line with benchmark international price and foreign exchange rates.
OMCs have neither raised nor reduced petrol and diesel rates for more than 100 days now while international oil prices remain volatile. The most recent change in the price of petrol and diesel prices came on December 1 in Delhi after the local government reduced the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on petrol from 30% to 19.40%. Any changes in petrol and diesel prices are implemented with effect from 6 am every day. Retail petrol, diesel prices differ from state to state on account of local taxes like VAT or freight charges. Analysts believe that the government may start revising prices soon to bridge the gap between domestic retail prices and international crude oil prices.
