Even as news of the fuel price hike trickled in, motorists queued up in big numbers before petrol bunks across Bangalore on Thursday. They wanted to fill up their tanks before the new prices took effect at the stroke of midnight, but many petrol bunks had downed their shutters by 9.30 p.m.
The rush, which began in the morning, became chaotic towards evening. It was particularly apparent at the bunks on Banashankari, Kasturba Road, MG Road, JC Road, Jayanagar and Subramanyapura.
The fuel prices in Bangalore are already the highest in the country among metros. The increase would only make it even costlier. Petrol prices shot up approximately by Rs 2.25 per litre while diesel was costlier by Rs 1.15 per litre.
As per the old rate, ordinary petrol was sold at Rs. 50.58 per litre and premium quality petrol at Rs 52.58. Ordinary diesel and premium diesel cost Rs 35.23 and Rs 35.98 respectively.
Imran Siddiqui of Frazer Town, an accountant with a private firm, termed the hike untimely as it would lead to further inflation. “The hike in this essential commodity will increase prices of all the products and make living in Bangalore more costly,” said Siddiqui.
Rame Gowda, a real estate agent, demanded the Karnataka government to offer subsidy to its people. “When fuel can be sold at a much cheaper price in Delhi, Haryana and UP as compared to Karnataka, why not the government here should consider giving a little relief to the people. After all the Governor too belongs to the party which claims to be of ‘Aam Admi’.
‘Unfortunate Day’
‘Unfortunate Day’. That was how S S Patil, the president of the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI) reacted when asked for his comment on fuel prices. Talking to Deccan Herald, Patil said the government was left with no other option but to hike the fuel prices. “We were told that the government had incurred a loss of Rs 8,000 crores by not increasing the fuel prices. So increase in petro-prices was inevitable,” said Patil.
He felt the hike will lead to inflation and transportation charges would increase. He suggested that the government could bring down cess duty on petro-products.
