After remaining unchanged for 48 days, on Friday the petrol and diesel prices per litre in India witnessed a revision after state-run oil marketing companies hiked fuel prices. The increase in fuel prices unleashed a meme fest on social media targeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the country.
As of Friday, the petrol and diesel prices in India were hiked by 0.17 rupees (in Indian currency) and 0.22 rupees respectively, making their per litre prices to INR 81.23 ($1.10 approx.) and INR 70.68 ($0.95 approx.) respectively in the national capital New Delhi.
The changes in the rates differ from state to state, depending on the incidence of value-added taxes (VAT) that make up for nearly two-third of the retail sale price.
For instance, after Friday's price revisions, the petrol price per litre in Mumbai (Maharashtra state) has risen to INR 87.92 ($1.20 approx.) while the diesel price stands at INR 77.11 ($1.05 approx.) per litre.
Reacting to the news, netizens not only meme-mocked the Modi government in the country, but also in a serious note which pointed out that the difference in fuel prices in India as compared to other south-Asian countries is just another attack on the pockets of salaried middle class Indians – many of whom are currently struggling with pay cuts and job losses due to the pandemic.
#petrolPrice
— Fayzan Ali 🏹 (@Nazish00) November 20, 2020
Govt. Public pic.twitter.com/hJZ4g3dGvh
Our govt should learn from our neighbouring countries our govt have imposed so much tax on fuel and on the other hand they are saying they are providing relief there was a time when bjp was on roads when the price was ₹60-70 and now when its ₹84.68 they are quiet #petrolPrice pic.twitter.com/3ouGQMhs6X
— Subhash SharmaINC (The Lord Is My Shepherd) (@VoiceOfJustic10) November 20, 2020
#petrolPrice again increased...
— K.SR (@elite_sniperr) November 20, 2020
Meanwhile BATMAN (millionaire ) has to do this pic.twitter.com/rsbCPm90xj
Tomato:- 80Rs per kg.
— Political Battleground (@politics_battle) November 20, 2020
Potato:- 34Rs per kg
Onion:- 50Rs per kg.
Petrol :- 85.18 per litre. This too after crude oil price is low.
Modi gov is turning out to be a disaster for Middle class families. Only he knows how to obtain tax from them.#petrolPrice pic.twitter.com/to9jLRcy0T
Now he is..#petrolPrice pic.twitter.com/dKLbfEQAZN
— Ravi kumar (@Ravikum47425814) November 20, 2020
Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation account for a majority of petrol and diesel stations in India. These companies align the domestic rates with global benchmarks after observing changes in foreign exchange levels.
