"fuel-price"

Across the country as well petrol and diesel prices increased between 24-28 paise per litre on Monday but its retail prices varied depending on the level of local taxes in different states.

The Chief Minister said the fuel price was rising uncontrollably after the shift from administrative price mechanism to dynamic pricing.

Rates have been reduced across the country and vary from state to state depending on the local incidence of taxation (VAT).

Petrol sales, on the other hand, fell 6.5 per cent to 2.44 million tonnes in February and by about 3 per cent from a year earlier.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a debate on the issue.

The Upper House will meet at its normal hours of 11 am to 6 pm from Tuesday. The timings were changed to 9 am to 2 pm from last year's monsoon session due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought a discussion on the matter.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow the discussion, saying the issue can be debated "during the course of discussion on the Appropriation bill."

With a placard protesting against the petrol price hike hanging around her neck, helmet-clad Banerjee waved at people on both sides of the road during the five-km-long journey.

Congress activists blocked national highways in various parts of the state, including in the capital Bhubaneswar, leading to huge traffic jams.

The price of branded or premium petrol price had crossed Rs 100-mark in Sriganganagar town of Rajasthan on January 27.

In three days, petrol price has gone up by 40 paise and diesel rates have risen by 61 paise per litre.