The woes of motorists in India seem endless. Petrol hikes are proposed by public sector oil companies every so often, and the government permits them to change the rates, sooner or later (often sooner than later).
The public sector oil marketing companies have proposed a further hike of Rs. 3 per litre of petrol, and the increased prices may be effected on May 15, when the polling in all the states concludes. The hiked comes as a result of the soaring international prices for crude oil, with each barrel costing more than $110.
The Indian govenment had decided to freeze fuel rates in January, as the state elections were just round the corner.
A Hyderabadi is at present paying Rs. 65 for a litre of petrol, the highest price charged for the fuel among all the Indian cities. The price has risen from Rs. 60 to Rs. 65 within a year.
However, the latest proposed petrol price hike is not the only thing that is all set to burden the residents of Hyderabad.
The United Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA), which was recently established to ensure an integrated transport system in the city, needs funds. The state government has decided that the Urban Transport Fund will be filled by the common man. Soon, all Hyderabadis may have to pay a tax of Rs. 0.50 to Rs. 1 per litre of petrol at the petrol stations. This measure was proposed at a UMTA meeting headed by Chief Secretary S V Prasad at the Secretariat yesterday.
This cess is in addition to the road tax, and the fines collected from errant motorists by the traffic police all over the city.
filed in:Hyderabad Traffic, Fuel, Petrol Price Hike