BJD says hike in petrol, diesel prices not fair

New Delhi, Nov 17: Biju Janata Dal on Tuesday questioned the hike in petrol and diesel prices saying increasing the rates based on rupee-dollar value basis was not fair and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

"Revision of petrol and diesel price is totally unacceptable. When there is no significant change in global oil prices, increasing the rates based on rupee-dollar value basis is not fair," BJD leader in Lok Sabha B Mahtab said.

He said the changes in the value of Indian rupee to that of US dollar is based on the demand for the American currency.

"Why is the NDA government continuing the policy of the UPA's price fixation policy of fuel products where the rates are determined based on import price of crude? There is no justification in the present hike. It should be withdrawn with immediately," he said.

Petrol price was hiked on Sunday by 36 paisa a litre, while that of diesel by 87 paisa per litre in line with firming global rates. It was the first hike in petrol price in five months and the third in diesel rates since October.

PTI