Petrol-diesel rates, LPG cylinder price hike! Rs 21 lakh crore collected from excise duty, cess, Mallikarjun Kharge reveals

Though petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged for 9th consecutive day on Monday, with oil marketing companies keeping the status quo on rates, it is a fact that the fuel rates have risen significantly high in the last two months with no pullback in sight. Petrol, diesel prices peaked at their all-time high in major cities across the country. It even breached Rs 100-mark in some states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.  

Even LPG cylinder prices have seen huge hike. Cooking gas price has been hiked four times in one month. It was last increased on March 1 by Rs 25 across all categories, including subsidised fuel and those availed by Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries -- the fourth increase in rates in a month’s time.

LPG gas cylinder price in Delhi,  14.2-kg, now costs Rs 819 as against Rs 794 at which they were supplied on Sunday.  

Talking about petrol and diesel prices on the second half of the budget session on Monday, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge told Rajya Sabha that so far Rs 21 lakh core have been collected in excise duty/cess on fuel. "Petrol & diesel prices are nearly Rs 100 per litre & Rs 80 per litre respectively. LPG prices have also gone up. Rs 21 lakh crores have been collected by putting excise duty/cess, because of this entire country including farmers are suffering: LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Rajya Sabha," News agency ANI tweeted quoting Mallikarjun Kharge.  

Petrol & diesel prices are nearly Rs 100 per litre & Rs 80 per litre respectively. LPG prices have also gone up. Rs 21 lakh crores have been collected by putting excise duty/cess, because of this entire country including farmers are suffering: LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/eFwG9L2w0V

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2021

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am as Congress MPs raise slogans demanding a discussion over rise in fuel prices.

Petrol and diesel prices are revised on a daily basis in line with benchmark international price and foreign exchange rates.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 am as Congress MPs raise slogans demanding a discussion over rise in fuel prices