Gandhinagar, March 22 The latest increase in bulk diesel prices has been withdrawn for fishermen in Gujarat after the state approached the Centre, Fisheries Minister Jitu Vaghani said.
The price of premium or higher-grade petrol was increased on Friday by Rs 2 per litre, while the rate of bulk diesel sold to industrial users was hiked by Rs 22.43 per litre, reflecting the rise in global oil prices amid the West Asia conflict.
Vaghani said on Saturday that the Gujarat government had urged the Centre to offer relief to the fisheries sector by considering a "special exception" and withdrawing the increase of Rs 22.43 per litre in the price of bulk diesel used in fishermen's boats.
The state had requested that fishermen be treated on par with retail customers.
"Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre has accepted this reasonable representation from the fishermen of Gujarat. The Centre has instructed Bharat Petroleum to withdraw the increase of Rs 22.43 in the price of diesel used in fishermen's boats," an official release said.
"Therefore, the fishermen of the state will now receive diesel at the previously decided concessional rate," it added.
The Gujarat government had signed an agreement with the public sector undertaking Bharat Petroleum to ensure diesel for fishermen at a discounted price. However, the PSU recently increased the diesel price for fishermen by Rs 22.43 per litre.
"A representation was made to Vaghani, MLAs, local leaders, and various fisheries organisations. Considering the seriousness of the matter, Vaghani, under the guidance of the chief minister, made a representation to the Centre to intervene in the matter," the release said.