Fuelprices increased again across the country on Wednesday adding more misery forthe common man already grappling with rising food prices amidst shrinkingincome.
Withthis rise, petrol prices have reached very close to hitting the century-markall across the country extending the scope of historic high prices that hadalready made the fuel rate cross the Rs 100 per litre mark in certain citiesand towns of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.
OnWednesday, the oil marketing companies (OMCs) raised the price of petrol anddiesel between 12-25 per litre across the four metros.
Accordingly,the price of petrel increased by 25 paisa per litre to Rs 96.66 per litre anddiesel by 13 paisa per litre to Rs 87.41 per litre in Delhi.
InMumbai, where petrol prices crossed Rs 100 mark for the first time ever on May29, the fuel price reached new high of Rs 102.82 per litre on Wednesday. Dieselprices also increased in the city by 14 paisa per litre to reach Rs 94.84 alitre, the highest among metros.
Acrossthe country as well, petrol and diesel prices increased on Wednesday but itsretail prices varied depending on the level of local taxes in different states.
Petrolprices in three other metros have also reached closer to Rs 100 per litre markand OMC officials said that if international oil prices continue to firm up,this mark could also be breached in other places by month-end.
WithWednesday's price hike, fuel prices have now increased on 25 days and remainedunchanged on 22 days since May 1. The 25 increases have taken up petrol pricesby Rs 6.26 per litre in Delhi. Similarly, diesel have increased by Rs 6.68 perlitre in the national capital.
Withglobal crude prices also rising on pick up in demand and depleting inventoriesof worlds largest fuel guzzler -- US, retail prices of fuel in India isexpected to firm up further in coming days.
Thebenchmark Brent crude is currently close to multi-year high level of $75 on ICEor Intercontinental Exchange.