Govt Rules Out Petrol, Diesel Price Hike After Assembly Polls

The government has no plans to raise petrol and diesel prices, a senior official said on Tuesday, dismissing speculation of a hike after polling in West Bengal ends on April 29. 

Retail petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged for a record fourth year, even as conflict in West Asia has pushed crude oil costs up more than 50 per cent over the past two months. 

"There is no proposal to increase petrol and diesel prices," Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said at a news briefing on the fallout of developments in



West Asia. She was responding to a question on whether retail fuel prices would be raised after polling in West Bengal concludes on Wednesday.

She dismissed speculation of an imminent price rise that had triggered panic buying in parts of states such as Andhra Pradesh.

"We have seen panic buying in some places. We are in continuous contact with state governments in all these places. All retail outlets are being monitored and supplies are being prioritised (at petrol pumps witnessing increased buying) so that stock availability is ensured and there are no dry-outs," she said.