Srinagar, Jan 17: The recent petrol price hike has evoked sharp criticism in the Valley with traders as well as consumers terming it “unjust.”
 The traders and common consumers said the hike shall further stroke the inflation which has already left the people high and dry.
 State-owned oil companies Saturday raised petrol prices by Rs 2.50-Rs 2.54 per litre, the second hike in a month, on back of rising crude oil prices.
 Indian Oil Corp, India’s largest fuel retailer, raised petrol prices by Rs 2.50 per litre with effect from midnight that night, while Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) hiked rates by Rs 2.54 a litre.
 Bharat Petroleum Corp, the third state fuel retailer, raised price by Rs 2.53 per litre.
 The three firms from December 15-16 raised petrol prices by Rs 2.94-2.96 per litre, the biggest hike in six months.
 Many consumers Greater Kashmir talked to said the rising rates of petrol have made commuting unaffordable for them. “It is too much. Earlier when there used to be petrol price hike it would be very mild, but now the rates are increased sharply and frequently,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a student.
 He said the rising oil price affects everybody. “You have got a huge number of two, three and petrol driven four-wheelers in the Valley, with most of them owned by middle class people. Once there is a hike, it directly affects them,” he said.
 Imran, a down-town denizen said: “If the hikes go on like this, owning a car or bike would become unaffordable.”
 Traders said the price hike would stoke the inflation. “Already the people have been burdened by the rising food prices, and now this hike. It is definitely going to add to the prices,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST