Centre cuts petrol price, pumps dont

BANGALORE: The Union government’s decision to slash the price of petrol by 2.25 paise per litre with an immediate effect seems to have gone with a ‘heavy bag’ of salt to petrol pumps in city. Many vehicle owners were disappointed as petrol pump owners refused to charge the new rate (cut by Rs 1.80 p) claiming that they have not received any official notice from their respective oil companies.This reply agitated public who entered into a verbal duel with the bunk owners, and refused to pay the old rate. It was a common scene at most of the petrol bunks across the city. “These petrol bunks implement hike in petroleum products with an immediate effect then why are they not ready to reduce the price as announced by the government.After 33 months, the government has slashed the price of petrol and is it not the duty of oil companies to extend this benefit to consumers? Why should we pay through our nose,” questioned Prashanth S, a private company employee.A similar view was expressed by Suryanarayana Shetty, a petty businessman who went to a petrol pump in Rajajinagar.“These petrol bunks are taking us for a ride. Why cant the Department of Food and Civil Supplies or oil companies take action against such errant petrol pumps. Why should we pay Rs 2.25 paise more for a litre of petrol when the government has slashed the prices. This is nothing short of swindling the public.The excess amount collected from vehicle owners naturally goes to the pockets of these owners”, he fumed.However, the owners of petrol pumps had a different version of the story.One of the owners of a petrol pump told Express that he had purchased petrol just two days back at the old rate. “If they pay `2.25 paise less for each litre of petrol, I will incur loss. Who will foot the losses, the oil companies or the government. So till the existing stock is over we will charge as per the old rate, he quipped.