In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress has decided to protest across the state on July 10 and 11 when petrol prices cross Rs 100. Today the price of one liter of petrol in Kolkata has gone up to Rs 99.84. Apart from this, recently the price of non-subsidized domestic LPG cylinder was increased by Rs 25.
Minister and former TMC general secretary Partha Chatterjee announced, “There will be a state-wide protest on July 10 and 11 from 11 am to 4 pm over the hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas. All Kovid-19 protocols will be maintained.”
He said, “The central government is sitting silent. It is a burden on the people. This affects the prices of consumer goods. Transport services are also affected by this.”
Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter, Partha Chatterjee wrote, “Shri Narendra Modi has a penchant for drama every time in the distress of the people of India. Now with skyrocketing petrol prices, why is he hiding? One Preparing for a speech full of big lies, Mr. Prime Minister? #ModiBabuPetrolBekabu.”
For the first time on July 2, petrol prices crossed Rs 100 per liter in many places in North Bengal. The price of high-octane petrol in Kolkata has already gone up beyond Rs 100 per litre.
According to the Indian Oil Corporation, while the prices of petrol have increased by 34-35 paise, the prices of diesel have registered a fall on Monday. Since the beginning of May, fuel prices have been increasing continuously across the country. From May 4, the price of petrol has been increased 35 times and that of diesel 33 times. Petrol has become costlier by Rs 9.46 per liter and diesel by Rs 8.63 per liter during this period.
Petrol pump owners in the city are demanding a new display panel, which shows 5 digits. In fact, the meter does not show numbers above 99.99 in the current display panel. The last time such a change was needed was in October 1990, when fuel prices exceeded single digits.