Rs2/litre hike in fuel prices leaves a bitter taste

The price of gasoline has gone up to Rs 50.70 per litre (from Rs48.40) and that of diesel to Rs 37.70 (from Rs35) as from last night, representing an increase of Rs 2, plus VAT. 

The increase had been decided and announced in the 2021-22 Budget and the State Trading Corporation (STC) Petroleum Pricing Committee meeting only endorsed the decision, l’Express reported. 

The amount collected (Rs 1 billion), will be used to purchase anti-COVID-19 vaccines. 

STC claimed that, based on the new benchmark price of USD 678.9 per metric ton, the increase in gasoline should have been Rs 9.75 per liter, an increase of 20.14%. Ditto for diesel with an increase of 12.20 per liter. 

Le Mauricien cited Jayen Chellum (Consumers Association of Mauritius) as an “abuse” against consumers. “This is totally unacceptable.” He fears a rise in the price of numerous consumer products soon.