National NewsPetrol, diesel prices hiked for fourth time

Petrol, diesel prices hiked for fourth time

NEW DELHI, MAY 25 (PTI): Petrol prices were raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 on Monday, the fourth increase in less than two weeks that extended a delayed pass-through of soaring global crude oil costs triggered by the Iran conflict.
The latest increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.
In Dimapur, petrol prices rose to Rs. 104.07 per litre, while diesel climbed to Rs.95.60 a litre.
Petrol in Kohima now costs Rs.104.39 per litre and diesel Rs.95.91 per litre.
Fuel prices have now reached their highest levels since May 2022 after remaining largely frozen for more than two years, barring a Rs 2-per-litre cut in March 2024 ahead of national elections. The hike came as global oil prices fell sharply amid tentative hopes for a deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran.
Brent crude, the primary benchmark for global oil prices, fell more than 5 per cent after the US and Iran agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

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