Petrol price slash fails to make a splash in Kolar

Cut provides slight relief to consumers; no long queues at bunks

Unlike the trend during a hike, when people queue up before the petrol bunks with their vehicles, there was business as usual on the first day of the slash in prices.

Ansar, manager at a petrol bunk at the old bus stand, said there was no rush for refuelling as seen during the price hikes.

‘Reduce further’
The people were of the opinion that the price should be reduced more as the vehicle users were reeling under the recent hike.

“I had to cut down on using my bike following the hike. The slash in price has come as a slight relief,” said Rabi Ahmed, a cloth merchant on M B Road.

“I used to take my bike out on three to four days in a week when the price was Rs 50 a litre. Now, I am not able to use the vehicle even for two days a week. The slash is a welcome development,” Ahmed added.

“The petrol prices were hiked drastically three to four times, of late. The slash by Rs 2.43 is like giving alms. The price should be fixed at Rs 50 a litre. It’s nothing more than an eyewash,” said Nagaraj, a petty shop owner in Gowripete.

Better conditions
“The prices in other countries are lesser and the cost of living is also better there. In our country, neither the cost of living is good nor the petrol prices provide any relief. Is this justified,” asks Nagaraj.

Basavaraj, security guard at a private bank, says that while the cut in prices was encouraging, he would not be able to use his bike till there is further cut in fuel prices. Manjunath, another vehicle user, says the slash is only aimed at deflecting the criticism that the multiple hikes in recent times have attracted.

Rate per litre
* Previous: Rs 76.19
* Present: Rs 73.76