Punjab Newsline | Shimla
Petrol and diesel prices have increased once again across the country, with petrol becoming costlier by 87 paise per litre and diesel by 91 paise per litre on Saturday, May 23. This marks the third fuel price hike in the last 10 days, adding further burden on consumers already dealing with rising expenses.
In Shimla, petrol prices have reached Rs 99.96 per litre, while diesel is now being sold at Rs 91.86 per litre.
Reacting sharply to the continuous increase in fuel prices, Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi criticized the central government over its fuel pricing policies. He said that around 12 years ago, during the UPA government, international crude oil prices were nearly 108 dollars per barrel, yet petrol was available at around Rs 55 per litre.
Negi claimed that crude oil prices are currently at nearly the same level, but petrol and diesel prices have crossed the Rs 100 mark in several places. He warned that if the current trend continues, fuel prices could soon touch Rs 150 per litre.
The minister further stated that the common public is suffering due to the central government's “wrong policies.” He added that Himachal Pradesh is preparing for both the tourism and apple seasons, and rising fuel prices could directly impact the state’s economy, transportation costs, and daily life of residents.
