'Petrol price should be reduced to Rs 82 per litre'; Centre helping oil companies earn excessive profits, says AAP

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded a reduction in petrol and diesel prices across the country, with party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accusing the Centre of helping oil companies earn "excessive profits." He said the price of petrol in Delhi, currently around Rs 102 per litre, should be brought down to Rs 82 per litre.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said Indian consumers have not benefited despite a decline in global crude oil prices. He alleged that the Central government was allowing oil companies to profit at the expense of the public.

Kejriwal pointed out that international crude oil prices have fallen several times since 2014, but petrol prices in India have not been reduced accordingly. He also questioned what had been done with the large profits earned by oil companies during this period.

He said a reduction in petrol and diesel prices would help curb inflation and provide relief to both households and businesses.

Meanwhile, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said last week that consumers may have to wait a few more months for fuel prices to come down.

The minister said India is currently using crude oil that was purchased at higher prices during the conflict in West Asia, resulting in only a marginal increase in domestic fuel prices. He also said that, compared with the sharp fuel price hikes witnessed in several other countries, the increase in India has been relatively modest.