Why is fuel cheaper in Sita's Nepal, Ravan's Lanka, SP MP asks in Rajya Sabha

An Opposition MP in the Rajya Sabha on Monday asked why prices of petrol and diesel were lower in neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka.

“Petrol is cheaper in Mother Sita’s land Nepal and Ravana’s land Lanka. When will the government reduce petrol, diesel prices in the land of Ram?” Samajwadi Party MP Vishambhar Prasad Nishad asked Union Minister for Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha.

Also Read | Fuel prices hiked; petrol, diesel prices touch new highs

Comparing fuel prices of neighbouring countries with prices in India has been a common theme on social media.

Petrol and diesel prices on Wednesday scaled new highs in the country as rates were hiked for the second day in a row. Petrol price was hiked by 30 paise per litre and diesel by 25 paise a litre, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers.

Also read | Explainer | Why are petrol, diesel prices rising?

The increase took petrol price to an all-time high of Rs 87.60 a litre in Delhi and to Rs 94.12 in Mumbai.

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Rajya Sabha said the government is not considering a reduction in excise duty to cool rates from their record highs.

(With inputs from PTI)