In the national capital, petrol was sold at Rs 82.03 per litre on Monday.Petrol and diesel prices continue their upward trend,despite the government's move last week to cut excise duty applicable to the fuels.Petrol prices have been increased by more than 50 paise per litre across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in past three days, and diesel rates raised by over 80 paise per litre.
The increase in transport fuel prices comes amid a rapid surge in crude oil prices.In the national capital, petrol was sold at Rs 82.03 per litre on Monday, according to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).Petrol rates in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai climbed to Rs 87.50, Rs 83.87 and Rs 85.26 respectively, with effect from 6 am on Monday.
Diesel pricesstood at Rs 73.82 per litre, Rs 77.37 per litre, Rs 75.67 per litre and Rs 78.04 per litre in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai respectively.The Centre on Thursday cut excise duty by Rs 1.50 per litre and asked state-run oil companies to subsidise fuel by Rs 1.
Maharashtra and Gujarat were among the first statesto announce reductions of Rs 2.50 per litre each.
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana Assam, Uttarakhand, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir later announced similar moves.However, the fuel prices were on the rise again from October 6.
Petrol prices were increased by 14 paise per litre on Sunday across the four metros.
Diesel rates were hiked by 29 paise per litre on Sunday.Meanwhile, two companies have placed orders to buy Iranian oil in November, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday.
However, the government does not yet know if it will be granted a waiver from US sanctions on Iran, he added.Globally, crude oil prices fell on Monday, withBrent - the international benchmark for crude oil - movingbelow $83 per barrel.
Washington said it may grant waivers to sanctions against Iran's oil exports next month, and as Saudi Arabia was said to be replacing any potential shortfall from Iran.Brent had hit a four-year high of $86.74 last week.(With inputs from agencies)