Diesel and gasoline prices rose in India on Friday, after days of expectations of a possible impact of the conflict in West Asia on fuel prices in the country. State-run oil marketing companies on Friday ₹3 pounds per liter”> Raising gasoline and diesel prices by 3% $3 per liter every day, a move that came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to adopt certain measures to conserve foreign exchange by reducing imports of crude oil and precious metals.
The rise in fuel prices sparked reactions from public opinion and political leaders, with some criticizing the increase in gasoline and diesel prices while others said the move was necessary due to the global economic turmoil caused by the US-Iran war. Track petrol and diesel prices across cities here
The Congress launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he had “unleashed the whip” on the public after the Center raised petrol and diesel prices by $3 across the country.
“Fasoli shuru,” says the Congress; BJP takes credit to PM
Congress linked the rise in fuel prices to the completion of assembly elections in four states and one union territory, and said that Prime Minister Modi’s “inflation man”Fasoli [extortion] It starts after the elections.
“Inflation man Modi has once again unleashed the whip on the public today. Petrol and diesel have been increased by Rs 3-3. Meanwhile, CNG prices have also been hiked by Rs 2 lakh. Elections are over – Modi’s blackmail has begun,” the Congress said.
Congressman Rahul Gandhi said that the public will pay the price for the mistake committed by the Modi government, describing it as… $3- The rise in fuel prices is a “shake,” adding that the rest of the “extortion” will be done “in installments.”
“The Modi government’s mistake, the public will pay the price,” $“Shake 3 has come, and the rest of the blackmail will be in instalments,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi.
Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh said that the benefits of lower global oil prices were never passed on to Indian consumers, which meant that the impact of the war passed on to the people in a short time.
“For years when global oil prices were weak or falling, the Indian National Congress had been urging that these benefits should be passed on to Indian consumers and that domestic prices of gas, petrol and diesel should be reduced. But this did not happen and consumers were cheated,” Ramesh said on X programme.
“Now that global oil prices have risen due to the war in West Asia unleashed by the Prime Minister’s close friends – the US and Israel – and the Assembly elections are over, the Modi government has increased petrol and diesel prices after raising the commercial prices of LPG earlier,” he said.
This would lead to further inflation which is now expected to be close to six per cent this fiscal, Ramesh said, adding that growth estimates would fall significantly.
West Bengal Minister and BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that Prime Minister Modi did not allow any harm to be caused to the common people, adding that fuel prices were increased in such a way that it would have minimal impact.
“For the past three years, there has been a continuous war in the world. As a result of this, different kinds of crises have arisen in other countries. Prime Minister Modi has not let any harm come to us. Only the price of gas has gone up. At least the price has gone up to the minimum…,” Ghosh told news agency ANI.
UP Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana said, “The entire world has been affected due to the ongoing crisis and fuel prices have already gone up by two-fold. But our Prime Minister’s economic policies have kept it under control. Now people are understanding it themselves… There is a desire to save fuel, use public transport, avoid unnecessary travel, save foreign exchange… Our country has not witnessed any fuel shortage so far and I am confident that the country will rise again under the leadership of our Prime Minister and become an inspiration…”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar said that PM Modi has “failed in international relations”.
“He could not manage things well. During Covid, he said, ring the bell, turn on the lamp… How can I consume less oil? How can I stop it? How can I stop using my car? You can ask all central ministers to reduce their security measures. Fine, fine. Let others do the same. But no one should travel outside the country. How can that be possible? It is their income, it is their choice,” Shivakumar said.
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad asked why fuel prices were so high under the Modi government during the last 10-12 years even when there was no war.
“It is a direct question to the Modi government… In the last 10 to 12 years, when crude oil prices were low and there was no war, customs duties were increased 16 times. Petrol and diesel prices rose from approx. $65 to more $100. At that time, when there was an opportunity to provide relief to the people, no benefit was provided,” Azad said, asking, “And now, when prices are rising, why are you putting a huge burden on the public.”
“Why are you hitting people where it is most painful? I want to ask the common people, especially the people of Bengal…what have they gained after supporting the BJP? Diesel and petrol prices have now gone up by $3. Amit Shah and Narendra Modi have repeatedly claimed that there are sufficient fuel reserves, that there will be no shortage, and that prices will not rise. This clearly shows their double standards in politics. “They are simply robbing people and not doing anything else,” Kirti Azad said.
On Tuesday, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hinted at a rise in prices. The government at some point has to take a view on raising prices of petroleum products like petrol and diesel, he said at a CII event in Delhi. His confirmation came after the Prime Minister’s call on Sunday for people to conserve energy and foreign exchange. He repeated the same thing on Monday.
