Even though districts have different rates for petrol in Odisha, the fuel price has already crossed the Rs 100-per-litre mark across the State. It is the highest in Malkangiri district where it sells at Rs 110.15 per litre. The price of diesel there is Rs 104.07.
In capital city Bhubaneswar, petrol was retailing at Rs 103.28 while diesel cost was Rs 99 on Monday. Though the fuel prices differ from district to district depending on the transportation costs , such a high fuel price in a tribal dominated district like Malkangiri has triggered resentment. As per reports, petrol and diesel rates have been increased by Rs 34.73 and Rs 32.32 per litre, respectively since April 2020. Knowledgeable sources said the fuel prices have gone up due to the lowering of production by the oil-producing countries and due to with the high taxes levied by the Centre and the States.
In Odisha, the Centre collects Rs 32.9 per litre petrol as Excise duty while the State Government collects Rs 24.17 VAT and the dealers' commission is Rs 3.39 per litre.