New record! Petrol price crosses ₹100 mark in Silchar
পেট্রলের ঝড়ো ব্যাটিং, শিলচরেও শতক পার

July 4: Petrol and diesel prices on Sunday hit record highs in Silchar. Within two months of taking the reigns of Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government in Assam, petrol price in Silchar crossed Rs 100 mark in Silchar and reached Rs 100.28 on Sunday. Meanwhile, diesel rates also went up in Silchar on Sunday and reached Rs 99.42 per litre. No sooner had voting ended, oil companies indicated an impending increase in retail prices in view of firming trends in international oil markets.

Surging international oil rates and exorbitant domestic tax structure are two key reasons for high rates of petrol and diesel. This has resulted in heavy reaction among the common people. A retired teacher in Silchar who went for filling petrol in his vehicle at a petrol pump opposite DSA Silchar said, “It’s really too much now. Everywhere there is price rise. Now petrol too has crossed the Rs.100 mark. We the common people are just finding very difficult to manage the expenses.” Another student of Assam University who came with her scooty at the same pump said, “Petrol price is increasing at an abnormal rate, more higher than the run rate of Virat or Sachin. It is indeed very frustrating. Government should step in and help the common people to survive.”

Domestic fuel retailers align pump prices of petrol and diesel with respective international benchmarks of the previous day, which often move in tandem with crude oil rates. Pump prices of fuels are also high because of taxes levied both by the centre and the states.