Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP/DV)
Mangaluru, Jun 19: Petrol prices crossed Rs 100 mark for the first time in a few places in the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada on Friday June 18.
Petrol prices which were hovering near the century mark for the last some weeks, broke the barrier on Friday. Petrol which cost Rs 99.91 a litre in Sullia on June 17 reached Rs 100.19 on Friday June 18. In Kundapur taluk also, the price crossed the century mark and was sold for Rs 100.07 a litre at some places and Rs 100.04 in others. The rates differ on the basis of distribution fee.
Petrol was sold at Rs 100 in Ujire and Rs 100.26 in Kokkada. In the city, petrol cost Rs 99.30 on Friday while diesel was sold for Rs 92.20 a litre. During the last three weeks, petrol went up by Rs 2.53 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.45. Petrol price at Bantwal was Rs 99.58 and Rs 99.71 in Udupi. Diesel was sold in Udupi for Rs 92.52 a litre.
Anand Karnad, secretary of Karnataka State Petroleum Dealers Federation, noted that the petrol price may retain the upward trend for a few more days now, as crude oil prices are going up in the international market. He opined that the government should review its excise duty on petrol.
As the public is struggling to come out of the aftermath of lockdown following to pandemic, the sharp rise in fuel prices has started impacting the common man and resulted in the hike of prices of essential commodities.
Following the lockdown, several commercial establishments have remained shut, people are suffering without jobs, and several companies have fired employees due to the impact on the economy. The hike in fuel prices has added more burden while the common man is juggling to make ends meet in these hard times.
Santhosh, who travels from BC Road to Mangaluru to work in a company said, "The lockdown has destroyed the life of common man. I have to travel daily from Mangaluru to BC Road and I need to spend Rs 100 for fuel. I am striving hard to feed my family".
Roshan, who works for a private company said, “Party politics have to be set aside right now and everyone has to remind PM Modi the promises he made before coming to power. It is time to remind all these gentlemen all they said while in the opposition. Strangely, the fuel prices go down during elections and rise after the results of the polls. I feel having paid the price voting to realise the great dream of ‘Acche Din’.”
The hike in fuel prices have made an adverse impact on the common man's life as the price for the essential commodities is increasing gradually. A majority of the section is opposing the union and state government's taxation on fuel.
It may be recalled that a man in Dakshina Kannada district was trolled after his audio clip went viral saying that he would support Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though the fuel price shoots up to Rs 1,000 per litre.