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Post Karnataka polls: Petrol, Diesel prices touch record high

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Post Karnataka polls: Petrol, Diesel prices touched record high

Ending the election luxury after Karnataka game was over, Petrol prices touched a record high of Rs. 76.24 per litre and diesel climbed to its highest ever level of Rs. 67.57 as the oil PSUs passed on four weeks of relentless rise in international oil prices to consumers on Sunday.

This is the seventh straight day of price rise since oil PSUs resumed daily price revision after a 19-day pre-Karnataka poll hiatus on May 14. In all, petrol price has been raised by INR 1.61 a litre and diesel by 1.64 in last one week.

According to agency reports quoting price notification issued by state owned oil firms, the Petrol price was increased by 33 paisa a litre in Delhi, the highest rise since the daily price revision mechanism introduced in mid-June 2017, and diesel by 26 paisa.

Read More: Petrol prices go up by Rs 1.23 per litre, diesel by Rs 89 paisa

Rates vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT. Prices in Delhi are the cheapest in all metros and most state capitals. With Sunday price rise, petrol has touched an all time-high, breaching the previous high of Rs.76.06 touched in Delhi on September 14, 2013. Diesel rates are also at the all-time high level.

Petrol is the costliest in Mumbai where the high local taxes have led a price of Rs. 84.07 per litre. Petrol has breached Rs. 80 mark in Bhopal (Rs. 81.83 a litre), Patna (Rs. 81.73), Hyderabad (Rs. 80.76) and Srinagar (Rs. 80.35). Petrol costs Rs. 78.91 per litre in Kolkata while it is priced at Rs. 79.13 in Chennai. The cheapest petrol is available in Panjim where a litre comes for INR 70.26.

Read More: Brace yourself: Petrol, Diesel prices to shoot up 20 percent

Diesel is the costliest in Hyderabad were it is priced at Rs. 73.45 a litre due to high local taxes. It is priced at Rs. 73.34 in Trivandrum. Other cities where diesel rates have crossed INR 70 mark are Raipur (Rs. 72.96 a litre), Gandhinagar (Rs. 72.63), Bhubhaneswar (Rs. 72.43), Patna (Rs. 72.24), Jaipur (Rs. 71.97), Ranchi (Rs. 71.35), Bhopal (Rs. 71.12) and Srinagar (Rs. 70.96).

A litre of diesel costs Rs. 71.94 in Mumbai, Rs. 70.12 in Kolkatta and Rs. 71.32 in Chennai. Cheapest Diesel is available in Port Blair where it is priced at Rs. 63.35.

The BJP-led government had raised excise duty nine times, totaling Rs. 11.77 per litre on petrol and Rs. 13.47 on diesel — between November 2014 and January 2016 to shore up finances as global oil prices fell, but then cut the tax just once in October last year by Rs. 2 a litre.

Immediately after Karnataka polls were over, state-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) on May 14 ended a hiatus in revising petrol and diesel prices that began on April 25 and reverted to the 11-month old practices of changing rates on a daily basis.

Due to political decision of holding price rise of the petroleum products by the ruling BJP led central government the oil PSUs have lost about Rs. 500 crore on absorbing higher cost resulting from the spike in international oil rates and fall in rupee against the US dollar during the nearly three week hiatus.

The benchmark international rate for petrol, used for revising rate on April 24, had gone up from USD 78.84 per barrel to USD 84.97 on May 14. It has further risen to USD 84.97, indicating more daily hikes would be needed to level retail price with cost.

Similarly, benchmark international diesel rates during this period have climbed from USD 84.68 per barrel to USD 90.28 per barrel. Also, the rupee has weakened to Rs. 67.27 per US dollar from Rs. 66.62, making imports costlier.

Observers believe that oil price rise should remain untouched for political gains of the ruling party in the centre. Election Commission should also look into the matter for maintaining equal treatment for all political parties in the fray.

India News

Trouble for AAP Government in Punjab: Congress drops hints

Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa hints at the possible collapse of the AAP government in Punjab. With BJP’s alleged involvement and corruption claims, the political tension in the state is rising.

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Pratap Singh Bajwa, leader of the opposition in Punjab, has sparked major political speculation, hinting at a possible collapse of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Bajwa claimed that more than 32 MLAs of the AAP are in contact with him, and some may even be in touch with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, he stressed that the Congress will not be responsible for toppling the government. Instead, he pointed fingers at the BJP, suggesting it would orchestrate the downfall.

In an exclusive interview, Bajwa made it clear that the Congress, despite its claims, will not take steps to destabilize the AAP government. He explained that Congress wants the AAP to complete its five-year term so that the public can judge its performance. “The BJP will handle the rest,” Bajwa said, distancing his party from any direct involvement in the collapse.

Bajwa also accused the AAP of being involved in corrupt practices, with allegations of money laundering through hawala channels. He claimed that crores of rupees have gone to foreign destinations such as Australia under the AAP’s rule. Additionally, the Congress leader alleged that the Delhi model employed by AAP encourages looting.

In a strong rebuttal, the AAP accused Bajwa of already securing a ticket to join the BJP. AAP leader Neel Garg alleged that Bajwa had met senior BJP leaders in Bengaluru and warned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to keep a close eye on him.

The AAP government has come under intense scrutiny since its defeat in Delhi earlier this month. Amidst this, the Punjab government has ramped up its anti-corruption initiatives, dismissing 52 police officers for corruption. Senior officers, including Varinder Kumar and Rajesh Tripathi, have also been suspended or reassigned as part of the government’s effort to clean up corruption in its ranks.

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A captivating evening of literature: Dr Karan Singh discusses his novel, The Temple of Shiva

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Dr Karan Singh book The Temple of Shiva

Parchment Publications hosted an engaging literary discussion on Saturday at Kunzum Bookstore, featuring Dr Karan Singh, statesman, scholar, and philosopher, as he delved into the themes and inspirations behind The Temple of Shiva, his first and only work of fiction.

In conversation with journalist and writer Sanjula Sharma, the evening offered profound insights into literature, philosophy, and storytelling. Published by Parchment Publications, The Temple of Shiva intricately blends history, mythology, and devotion, creating a rich narrative around faith and self-discovery.

During the discussion, Dr Singh shared a fascinating insight into his protagonist, Ashok, describing him as an alter ego—what he might have been, had he not been born into his current circumstances. “Your first novel,” he reflected, “always reflects the inner life of the author.”

Adding to the evening’s charm, when asked about the secret to his youth and energy, Dr Singh wittily held up the Shiva bracelet on his wrist, calling it his “secret weapon” that keeps him going. His deep spiritual connection was further reflected in his discussion of the novel’s characters, particularly Maharaj, the Mahant of the Temple of Shiva. Inspired by two real-life individuals whom Dr Singh had known, Maharaj serves as a conduit for many of Shiva’s teachings that resonate throughout the book.

Speaking on the occasion, Shubhi Arya, Founder of Parchment Publications, said, “Publishing The Temple of Shiva is a privilege and a deeply personal honour. Dr Karan Singh’s wisdom, depth, and storytelling deserve to reach younger generations, inspiring them to explore India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.”

The event was made possible with the support of Ajay Jain, the owner of Kunzum Bookstore, and Shivam, the event manager at Kunzum, whose contributions helped create a welcoming space for literary discussions. Parchment Publications is committed to bringing thought-provoking literature to readers, and this event was yet another step in its journey of celebrating distinguished voices in writing.

The Temple of Shiva is available for purchase on Amazon.

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Overcrowding in Prayagraj: Locals urge devotees to halt their visits to Maha Kumbh

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Mahakumbh

As the Maha Kumbh draws to a close, Prayagraj residents are facing an overwhelming surge in crowds, and many are pleading for relief. In a public appeal posted on Reddit, a local resident expressed frustration at the massive influx of pilgrims, which has overwhelmed the city and disrupted everyday life. With only days remaining in the grand religious event, the plea for a break from the chaos is growing louder.

The resident shared their experience of the city’s transformation for the event, where major infrastructural upgrades such as new roads and flyovers were made to accommodate the crowds. However, what was once seen as an opportunity to showcase the city’s development has now turned into an exhausting ordeal.

Overcrowded roads and tensions rise

According to the post, the streets of Prayagraj are now so congested that even basic tasks like commuting have become nearly impossible. The city’s highways, public transport, and even narrow lanes are jammed with an unrelenting flow of people and vehicles. Locals are feeling trapped in their own city as they struggle to navigate through the chaos.

In an incident shared by the user, they recounted a moment when they were blamed for the congestion while trying to take a break from the chaos. “Aap logon ki wajah se jam lag raha hai!” (The traffic is because of you), they were yelled at by strangers, despite being residents of the city. The frustration and exhaustion are palpable in the community, with tensions running high as the local population feels the strain of hosting such a large gathering.

A desperate plea for mercy

In a heartfelt conclusion, the user made a desperate appeal to devotees: “Please, for the love of God, STOP COMING. Ganga ji aur Sangam kahin nahi ja rahe. (The Ganga and Sangam aren’t going anywhere). You can come peacefully later. Have some mercy on this city and its people. We are begging you.”

This plea underscores the toll that the Maha Kumbh is taking on the locals. Not only are the streets congested, but there are reports of pilgrims littering and disregarding basic civic norms. While Prayagraj welcomes visitors, the burden of such a massive gathering is beginning to feel unbearable for those who call the city home.

The Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, began on January 13 and is set to conclude on February 26. While the event is a spiritual and cultural highlight for millions, the ongoing surge in visitors is threatening to overwhelm the city’s infrastructure and residents.

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