Mamata urges Centre to 'act' on fuel price surge

Kolkata, May 28 (IANS) Urging the Centre to "act" on the surge in domestic petrol prices, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said agriculture and the common people were suffering because of the spike.

"Fuel prices are increasing again and again. All are being badly affected: agriculture, transport and common people are being forced to bear burden," Mamata tweeted.

"In spite of the grim situation, why isn't the Central Govt taking any serious steps to find a solution? They need to act," she wrote.

Starting from Delhi, prices of fuel in Mumbai and Chennai have already reached record levels and are only reaching new highs every single day.

This surge in fuel prices is largely attributed to the recent rise in crude oil prices and the high excise duty on the fuels in the country.

The price Brent crude oil, however, has declined around $3 per barrel in the last two days, which raises hopes of easing fuel prices in the country. Brent crude is currently priced around $76 per barrel.

Prices of diesel, the key transportation fuel, which are already at record levels across the major cities rose to Rs 68.90, Rs 71.45, Rs 73.36 and Rs 72.74 a litre on Saturday in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai respectively.