Consumers worried over increase in fuel prices

New Delhi, Feb 27 (ANI): Consumers in Delhi expressed their concerns over the proposed hike in fuel prices tabled in the General Budget 2010-2011 presented by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament on Friday.

Mukherjee in his annual budget for the fiscal year starting from April 1 proposed an increase in factory gate and import taxes that would consequently raise the state-set fuel prices.

While the Opposition erupted in erupted in uproar, saying the fuel price hike would further push inflation, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said that it was not a new duty.

"About the five percent (increase) on the import of customs on crude, it is a fact that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee said just now that when oil prices went up to 135-140 dollars, there was a 5 percent hike in duty so at that time it was removed," said Deora.

"It's not a new duty, it's just the restoration of five percent," claimed Deora.

However,consumers already began to feel the pinch.

Former Army Officer Prakash said, "We are retired army officers and we have limited household budget. The prices of petrol and diesel have increased but not that much. The inflation will be very high."

Rohan, who works with a private firm in Gurgaon said, "It's very painful because I daily commute from Greater Noida to Gurgaon. My monthly fuel bill used to be 260 US dollars and now it will be much more, it will have an impact on me."

The Centre has capped the prices of petrol and diesel in order to protect the poor and tame inflation. (ANI)