Over the last 10 days there has been a downward slide in the prices of petrol in the city, though the relief is only marginal.
On October 26 the rate of petrol was Rs 81.31 per litre while a day before it was Rs 81.56 per litre.
About 10 days ago on October 16, the rate of petrol was Rs 83.27 per litre and thus over these past 10 days the consumers have got relief of Rs 1.96 per litre.
The rate at which diesel price was going high has also been checked as of now and in fact in the past 10 days its rates too have reduced. On October 25 the rate of diesel in the city was Rs 77.11 per litre while on October 16 it was Rs 78.01 per litre.
On October 13, the rate of petrol was Rs 82.93 per litre while diesel was at Rs 77.22 per litre and it looked like some relief was given to the public after reduction in excise duty and before that in VAT was reduced.
When on September 9, the rate of VAT on petrol was reduced the rate of petrol reduced by Rs2.44 per litre and was costing Rs81.21 per litre. While diesel with a reduction of Rs 2.42 was costing Rs 75.12 per litre.
However, after that the rates increased only in between. Then the respite of reduction in excise duty was given on October 4 and the rate of petrol came down to Rs82.01 per litre while diesel was reduced to Rs 75.29 per litre.
Now the people have got some respite after the prices have reduced globally in the recent days.
In the state, petrol attracts road cess of Rs 1.50 per litre while diesel has road cess of Rs1.75 per litre. The state government had increased the rate by 25 paisa in September 2015. With model code of conduct in place in view of the Assembly polls, consumers can hope for a respite only through the market force of demand and supply.
The rates have become so high this year that the customers have altogether stopped buying the premium quality of fuel like speed, power or turbo, sold at petrol pumps and instead are buying regular petrol that seems to have become premium in terms of price.
The rates have become so high this year that the customers have altogether stopped buying the premium quality of fuel like speed, power or turbo, sold at petrol pumps and instead are buying regular petrol that seems to have become premium in terms of price.