The burden of fuel price hikes on the common man continues unabated as public sector oil marketing companies have once again increased petrol and diesel prices following a sharp rise in crude oil rates in the international market. Petrol and diesel prices have been raised by an average of 87 paise to 91 paise per litre, while CNG prices have also been increased by ₹1 per kilogram, marking the third revision within just nine days amid escalating West Asia tensions, particularly between the United States and Iran. The cumulative impact of the recent hikes has pushed fuel prices up by nearly ₹5 per litre for petrol and diesel and around ₹4 per kg for CNG in a short span of time.
Following the latest revision, fuel prices have increased across major cities in Telugu states, with the revised rates coming into effect from 6 AM. In Hyderabad, petrol is priced at ₹112.84 per litre and diesel at ₹100.94 per litre, while in Vijayawada, petrol and diesel are priced at ₹114.40 and ₹102.13 per litre respectively.
The repeated fuel price hikes have triggered a sharp political debate nationwide, with intensified exchanges between the Centre and the Opposition. The central government has stated that while global crude oil prices have surged between 20% and 100%, domestic petrol prices have increased by only around 5% and diesel by 5.3% due to regulatory control. It further attributed higher retail fuel prices in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala to elevated VAT levels, while pointing out that prices remain below ₹102 per litre in several BJP-ruled states including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Goa, and Assam.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge strongly criticized the Centre over the fuel price hikes, alleging that the government is “systematically extracting money from the public in instalments” through heavy taxation on fuel. He further stated that the government fails to pass on benefits to consumers when global prices fall but quickly transfers the burden when prices rise, calling it unfair to the common man.
According to a CRISIL report, despite the recent three-phase increase, oil marketing companies continue to face significant under-recoveries, estimated at around ₹10 per litre on petrol and ₹13 per litre on diesel due to global market volatility. Meanwhile, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has dismissed rumours of fuel shortages, assuring that sufficient stock is available across the country. It also urged consumers not to resort to panic buying, clarifying that temporary congestion at some government fuel outlets is due to increased demand in rural areas during the harvest season and diversion of customers from private fuel stations due to price differences, rather than any supply disruption.