Karnataka’s Petrol Prices Surpass ₹100 Mark, Still Lower Than Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
The Karnataka government’s recent decision to increase the local tax on auto fuels has resulted in petrol prices crossing the ₹100 per litre mark, with diesel reaching ₹89 per litre. However, despite this hike, prices in Karnataka remain below those in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, which currently boasts the highest fuel prices in the country, according to oil industry data.
Effective June 15, the Karnataka government raised the local VAT (value-added tax) from 25.92% to 29.84% on petrol and from 14.3% to 18.4% on diesel. Consequently, petrol now costs ₹102.86 per litre in Bengaluru, while diesel is priced at ₹88.94 per litre. Nevertheless, these rates in Karnataka are still lower compared to those in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Andhra Pradesh, governed by a TDP-BJP coalition, has the highest petrol prices at ₹109.87 per litre, followed by LDF-ruled Kerala at ₹107.54 per litre and Congress-run Telangana at ₹107.39 per litre. BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra also feature among the regions with petrol prices exceeding ₹100 per litre.
In terms of diesel prices, Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati tops the list at ₹97.6 per litre, followed by Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram at ₹96.41 per litre, Hyderabad at ₹95.63 per litre, and Raipur at ₹93.31 per litre. Diesel prices in BJP-ruled states such as Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar are also in the ₹92-93 per litre range.
Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently compared fuel prices in Karnataka to those in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, criticizing the Congress for burdening Karnataka residents with increased fuel costs after the elections. He highlighted the difference in petrol prices, stating that Karnataka’s petrol is ₹8.21 per litre more expensive than in both UP and Gujarat, while the gap is even wider when compared to BJP-ruled Arunachal Pradesh.
Puri also noted the Modi government’s efforts to stabilize fuel prices amidst global energy challenges, citing a decrease of about 14% in petrol prices and nearly 11% in diesel prices during November 2021 to May 2024. He emphasized the government’s initiatives, including substantial cuts in excise duty and collaboration with oil marketing companies to reduce prices further.
Additionally, Puri commended BJP-run state governments for aligning with pro-people policies, reducing sales tax on transport fuels, and contributing to easing inflationary pressures. He cited examples such as the significant price differences between Congress-ruled Telangana and BJP-governed states like UP, Gujarat, and West Bengal, underscoring the impact of state policies on fuel prices for consumers.