Petrol price nearly Rs 100 per litre in MP, LPG up by Rs 50 per cylinder; Congress slams Modi govt

Fuel prices climbed again on Tuesday for the seventh consecutive day, reaching new highs across the country.

While the price of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) gas cylinder (14.2 kg) was hiked by Rs 50 per cylinder, petrol prices reached nearly Rs 100 per litre in several cities in Madhya Pradesh. For example, in Sidhi, petrol was priced at Rs 98.14 per litre, in Shahdol Rs 98.67 per litre, Khandwa Rs 98.31 per litre, Raisen Rs 98.63 per litre and Satna Rs 98.58 per litre.

Similarly, in various cities of Rajasthan, like in Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, and Jaisalmer, petrol prices reached Rs 98.22 per litre, Rs 99.26 per litre and Rs 97.73 per litre respectively as of February 15.

Meanwhile, LPG cylinder price too saw a record hike. As per the revised rate, a cooking gas cylinder of 14.2 kg would cost Rs 769 in Delhi.

The difference in prices across various states stems from local and VAT taxes imposed by the states. Both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have one of the highest Value-Added Tax (VAT) on fuel in the country. With around 39 per cent VAT, MP levies the highest tax on petrol and diesel prices.

Despite an outcry by the Opposition, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had ruled out the possibility of a reduction in taxes on petrol and diesel in order to reduce prices.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the Modi government is looting people. “Only two people are seeing development,” Rahul posted on Twitter.

Congress leader and chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also slammed the Modi government for the hike in fuel and LPG prices. Saying that the price of an LPG cylinder in the last two and a half months was raised by Rs 175, Surjewala took to Twitter to mock the ‘Achche Din’ promise by Modi.