Petrol-Diesel Prices: Effect of war visible in India, premium petrol costlier by Rs 2 and industrial diesel costlier by Rs 22 a litre.

New Delhi. The price of premium or high-grade petrol was increased by Rs 2 per liter on Friday, while bulk diesel sold to industrial users has become costlier by nearly Rs 22 per litre. The increase comes amid a surge in global oil prices amid conflict in West Asia. However, there will be no change in the prices of normal petrol and diesel.

Industry sources said that the price of premium 95-octane petrol in the national capital Delhi has been increased from Rs 99.89 per liter to Rs 101.89. With this, wholesale or industrial diesel prices in Delhi have been increased from Rs 87.67 per liter to Rs 109.59. Due to the intensification of the Iran war, international oil prices reached $ 119 per barrel on Thursday, which later came down to around $ 108 per barrel.

The price of one liter of normal petrol in Delhi remains at Rs 94.77, while diesel of the same category is available at Rs 87.67 per litre. The octane rating of normal petrol is usually 91-92 and is suitable for standard engines. It is perfect for everyday needs. Premium petrol, on the other hand, has an octane rating of 95-98, making it ideal for more efficient engines.

At a press conference, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that there has been no increase in the prices of normal petrol and diesel. “Some growth has been reported in the premium category, which accounts for hardly 2 to 4 per cent of the total petrol (sold in the country),” he said. There has been no increase in prices for the common man.

The official said pricing is decided by oil companies independently, as pricing of petrol and diesel was deregulated in 2010 and 2014 respectively. “This (price determination) is done by oil marketing companies (OMCs),” he said. The government does not regulate the prices of petrol and diesel.

The government is closely monitoring global oil markets, but has no immediate plans to raise retail fuel prices. Oil marketing companies are expected to bear the current cost pressure themselves. He further said, “Our priority is to provide energy to all consumers, which we have been doing throughout this crisis. Till now we have not increased the prices.