‘Middle class, which consumes 7-8% petroleum products, is targeted’

Mumbai residents Thursday reacted angrily to the over Rs3 per litre hike in petrol prices, saying the rising prices of goods is making it difficult for them to make ends meet.

 

Praful Vora, the Mumbai chapter coordinator of India Against Corruption, said that by hiking petrol prices, oil companies and the government are focusing on the wrong set of people.

 

“The middle class, which is consuming a small amount of 7-8% of downstream petroleum products, is being targeted in vain. Why don’t we hear about rise in high speed diesel or other such fuels,” he asked.

 

Ryan D’souza, who runs a DJ training school and travels over 30 km every day to and from his work place, said he was tired of getting upset over fuel price hikes.

 

“Instead, I try to fit the growing prices into my budget and take the bike to work on a relatively clear day. Rest of the days, I take the liberty to drive my car,” he said.

 

Ankur Bhavsar, a private sector employee, said he has switched to travelling by bus and train as he could no longer afford to drive his car to work. “I was thinking about bringing my own vehicle to work as I had recently got a pay hike. But there goes my hike,” he lamented.

 

Stavan Mehta, a software professional, said it seems the only option left for people like him is to start riding bicycles.

 

Oil retailing companies Thursday decided to hike the price of petrol by Rs.3.14 a litre from midnight.

 

Petrol will now cost Rs.71.76 in Mumbai.

 

The government had taken a decision last year to allow oil retailers to alter prices of petrol without any prior permission.

 

The hike comes at a time when India's annual rate of inflation is nudging double-digit levels.