NEW DELHI: It is reported that the Centre has given instructions to reduce the price of petrol and diesel in view of the assembly elections in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. This is also amid falling crude oil prices in the international market. The government has made its decision in this regard known to the public sector oil companies. There will be a reduction of Rs 2 per litre. This amount will be gradually reduced over several days. The government estimates that the increase in the prices of daily-use goods in the public market can be contained if the oil price is reduced.

There was a slight drop in petrol and diesel prices yesterday. Petrol prices have gone down by 43 paise per litre and diesel by 41 paise per litre. This is due to the reduction in price of crude oil in the international market. With this, the petrol price in Kochi has gone from Rs 105.59 to Rs 105.16 per litre. Diesel went from Rs 94.53 to Rs 94.12.

Petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged for more than five months.