Fearing backlash from the common people during the assembly polls in various states, including West Bengal and Assam, the Modi Government had paused the fuel price hike for a brief period although they kept claiming that rise in petrol and diesel prices are linked to sharp increase in international crude prices.

Petrol prices have crossed Rs 90 across all districts in Odisha. Malkangiri has reported the highest at Rs 97.03 per liter followed by Nabarangpur (Rs 96.46), Koraput (Rs 96.31), and Rayagada (Rs 95.44). The petrol prices may cross the Rs 100 mark in the undivided Koraput district soon.

Diesel prices have crossed the Rs 90 mark in 13 districts. Malkangiri (Rs 93.94), Nabarangpur (Rs 93.39), Koraput (Rs 93.25) and Rayagada (Rs 92.39) have recorded the highest.

In the absence of a clear mechanism, high excise duty and the government’s reluctance to bring fuel prices under the ambit of GST, has aggravated the situation further. The Corona-hit people are suffering more due to the lackluster approach of the Government to every crisis.