Union Minister Announces Rs 2 Per Litre Reduction in Petrol and Diesel Prices Ahead of Elections
Desk Report, March 15, 2024: In a significant move preceding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has announced a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre. The decision, set to take effect from 6 am on March 15, marks a strategic maneuver by the Centre, seemingly aimed at garnering favor among the electorate.
Emphasizing Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to the welfare of the nation, Minister Puri remarked, “By reducing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2, the country’s illustrious Prime Minister Modi has once again proved that the welfare and convenience of his family of crores of Indians is always his goal.”
Presenting a comparative analysis, Minister Puri highlighted the substantial disparities in fuel prices between India and several European countries. As of March 14, 2024, petrol in India is priced at an average of Rs 94 per litre, significantly lower than the rates prevailing in Italy, France, Germany, and Spain.
The reduction in petrol and diesel prices will vary across different cities. In the national capital, Delhi, the current price of diesel, standing at Rs 89.62 per litre, will be revised downward to Rs 87.62 per litre. Similarly, the cost of petrol in Delhi, presently at Rs 96.72 per litre, will see a reduction to Rs 94.72 per litre.
For Mumbai, where fuel prices are traditionally higher than in Delhi due to additional taxes, the government has decided to decrease petrol prices by Rs 2.10 per litre. Consequently, the current petrol price in Mumbai, at Rs 106.31 per litre, will be revised to Rs 104.21 per litre. The diesel prices in Mumbai, currently at Rs 94.27 per litre, will be adjusted to Rs 92.15 per litre.
Furthermore, the price reduction in Kolkata stands at Rs 2.09 per litre for petrol, while Chennai will witness a reduction of Rs 1.88 per litre.
The timing of this price revision, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, underscores the government’s strategic approach towards addressing key economic concerns and potentially influencing voter sentiment. As citizens await the implementation of these revised prices, the move is poised to have significant implications in the political landscape, as well as the everyday lives of Indian consumers.
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