Petrol prices slashed, diesel remains unchanged in Delhi

After remaining unchanged on Wednesday, petrol prices were slashed by Rs 0.18 to 79.37 on Thursday, however, diesel remained steady at Rs 73.78 per litre in Delhi, as per prices notified by oil-producing companies.

In Mumbai, the rate of petrol per litre was pegged at Rs 84.86, a cut of Rs 0.16 while that of diesel was Rs 77.32 per litre. The prices of petrol and diesel in Kolkata were Rs 81.43 and Rs 75.63, respectively. In Chennai, the prices were pegged at Rs 82.65 and Rs 78, respectively.

Read More | PM Modi likens Rahul Gandhi to 'stuck gramophone', says people won't accept his childish claims

Petrol and diesel prices have been slashed several times bringing the much-needed relief to customers from the relentless hikes ever since the rates touched a record high of Rs 84 per litre for petrol and Rs 75.45 a litre for diesel on October 4.

Following the huge hike, with Mumbai touching a high of Rs 91.34, the government decided to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre each and asked state-owned fuel retailers to subsidise by another Re 1 a litre by reducing their margins.

Also Read | Karan Johar on #MeToo movement, 'Sex minus consent equals sexual harassment'

Subsequent to this, the petrol price came down to Rs 81.50 per litre and diesel at Rs 72.95 a litre on October 5 in Delhi, according to a government statement.   

Also Read | Russia to send first manned mission to International Space Station in December

“As the international oil prices continued to rise, the price of petrol and diesel in Delhi increased to Rs 82.83 per litre and Rs 75.69 per litre. (But) since last eight days, international oil prices have been falling and the rupee has also appreciated,” the statement said.

The twin factors have brought down fuel prices to a six-week low.         

“As per the assessment, the retail prices of petrol and diesel may reign easy in the next few days,” it said.         

The retail selling price of petrol and diesel is dependent on the international prices of benchmark fuel and the rupee-US dollar exchange rate. “This is because a large proportion of country’s requirement is met through imports,” the statement added.