Switch to clean fuel from April 1

Beginning April 1, consumers in 13 cities — including Delhi and Mumbai — may have to pay more for petrol and diesel, following the launch of environment-friendly Euro-IV compliant petrol and diesel.

Beginning April 1, consumers in 13 cities — including Delhi and Mumbai — may have to pay more for petrol and diesel, following the launch of environment-friendly Euro-IV compliant petrol and diesel.

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Petrol is likely to cost 41 paise more per litre and diesel 26 paise. At petrol pumps, however, the final figure will be higher after excise and local taxes.

If implemented, this will the third increase in the price of diesel in Delhi (second for those in the other 12 cities) in less than a month. For petrol, this will be the second hike in a row.

While Petroleum Minister Murli Deora chose not to comment on the exact timing of this increase, both Petroleum Secretary S. Sundaresan and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday indicated the additional cost would be passed on to consumers.

“It is time for some harsh decisions as the oil companies are already losing Rs 6 per litre on petrol and Rs 4 per litre on diesel,” Sundaresan said at a function to announce the launch of Euro-IV fuels.

“The government cannot give subsidy to everybody,” Dikshit said. “There are some who can afford not to be subsidised as they are earning more due to the economic boom.”