Recently the oil companies announced a drop in petrol prices, while the diesel price was slightly hiked. This time around motorists in Maharashtra would be entitled to witness a drop in petrol as well as diesel prices in about a week’s time. It is believed that the reduction in prices would be passed on to consumers as the oil marketing companies have agreed to do away with the additional surcharge on products.
As per Girish Bapat, State Consumer Protection Minister, the LPG and Kerosene along with petrol and diesel shall also be offered at cheaper rates in Maharashtra. The minister held a meeting with Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on the state government's proposal to end "the unjust charging of surcharge" by petroleum companies for 2014-15. He further added that, "The Federation of Petrol Dealers' Association had pointed out the issue. After going through the documents they had produced, I decided to have a meeting with Dharmendra Pradhan.” Based on the meeting, it is believed that the petroleum companies have agreed to remove the surcharge.
The minister further added, "This would help cut petrol prices in the state by 95 paise and diesel 66 paise in about a week.” He also stated that, the decision will also be applicable to LPG and kerosene prices. In an attempt to further bring down prices of petroleum products a separate proposal on surcharge for 2015-16 was also discussed at the meeting. The meet was attended by MLC Shobhatai Fadnavis and members of the Federation of Petrol Dealers' Association.