Rising fuel price will increase cost of goods
Prices have been hiked for the 12th time in 14 days, resulting in a cumulative hike of Rs 9 per litre
Truckers ferrying goods to the city are anticipating a hike in prices and the MRP of essential and non-essential commodities following the hike in diesel prices. In the last 12 days or so, they claim that diesel prices have increased by Rs 9 per litre, which will have to be passed on to end consumers.
The truckers and transporters are harrowed by the back-to-back hike in fuel prices. In fact, their associations claim that there is already a backlash within the road transport sector against the fuel price hike. They allege that the fuel hike is forcing them to bear the brunt of a 12-15 per cent rise in their input costs which will reflect on end prices of the goods as well.
“Its pathetic and disappointing to note the government's indifference to the negative impact of the rising diesel prices on the transport sector, people and the economy. The high inflation in the economy is showing tell-tale signs of an imminent recession,” claimed Bal Malkit Singh, chairman – core committee, All India Motor Transport Congress. He added that the association is communicating with the government regarding the issue.
Condemning the diesel price hikes, the transporters have said that it renders the transport operations economically non-viable and that small operators are being shunted out of business because of this. They are demanding that the fuel rate revision be done quarterly and that there be uniform pricing across the country. They have also been demanding that diesel and petrol be brought under the GST ambit.
“We have appealed to the government to control the continual hikes as it did during election times. Prices have been hiked for the 12th time in last 14 days, resulting in a cumulative hike of around Rs 9 per litre,” said B Katke who runs trucks and tempos carrying essential goods.
Food and grain suppliers claim that the hike in diesel prices will certainly impact their transportation. “We will be forced to pass on the transportation cost to the retailers buying from us. The probable impact could be seen on grains, pulses and non-essential goods,” said a wholesaler from the APMC market.
Transporters say it renders the operations economically non-viable and that small operators are being pushed out of business