The government has decided to increase the excise duty on petrol and diesel by two rupees per litre. However, oil marketing companies have clarified that there will be no hike in the retail prices of the two petroleum products. Briefing media in New Delhi, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the hike in excise duty will not be passed on to the consumers.

According to the notification issued by the Finance Ministry, the excise duty has been raised by two rupees on petrol and diesel, which will be effective from tomorrow.

The minister also said that the prices of LPG cylinders have been increased by 50 rupees. Mr Puri said that the price of LPG for Ujjwala beneficiaries will now be 550 rupees, and for others, it will be 853 rupees from tomorrow.