Due to slight fluctuations in the international market, prices of all petroleum products—except petrol—are expected to increase for the next 15 days, with a possible rise of up to Rs9.50 per litre.
According to reports based on current tax rates, the ex-depot price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) may see an increase of around Rs9.50 per litre, or 3.4 percent, while petrol prices are expected to decline by approximately Rs2 per litre or 0.7 percent.
Since June 1, the net prices of petrol and diesel have increased by roughly Rs12.50 and Rs23 per litre, respectively.
Ex-depot prices of kerosene and Light Diesel Oil (LDO) may also rise by Rs8.80 (4.8 percent) and Rs7.15 (4.4 percent) per litre. Currently, kerosene is sold at Rs185 per litre, while LDO stands at Rs164 per litre.
The current ex-depot price of petrol is Rs265.45 per litre, which may decrease to Rs263.50. As petrol is widely used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and motorcycles, any change in its price directly impacts the budgets of lower- and middle-income households.
High-speed diesel is presently priced at Rs278.44 per litre and may rise above Rs288 per litre from November 15. Since most transport and agricultural machinery—including trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers—operate on diesel, an increase in its price fuels inflation, including rises in vegetable and essential food prices.
Reports also noted that transport operators had already raised fares between May and August due to a Rs27 per litre increase, but did not reverse the hike even after a subsequent Rs13 reduction.
Petrol and diesel remain major revenue generators for the government, with an average monthly sale of nearly 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes.
