The recent increase in petrol and diesel prices has once again added to the burden of the common people. Oil marketing companies raised fuel prices for a second time in less than a week. Among the two fuels, the rise in diesel prices affects society more seriously. Petrol is mainly used by private vehicle owners. But diesel is widely used in transportation of food produce including vegetables and fruits and agricultural products. There is no substitute for essential commodities. Trucks, buses, tractors, and goods carriers depend heavily on diesel. Therefore, when diesel prices rise, transportation costs also increase. This directly affects the prices of essential commodities such as vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, and other daily necessities. The poor and middle-class sections of society suffer the most from such price hikes. Farmers also face increased costs in operating tractors and irrigation pumps, which further raises the cost of food production. Hence, consumers are forced to pay more for almost everything. For the poor section of society controlling the price of diesel is more important than controlling the price of petrol.
