New Delhi: The government on June 3 announced a steep hike upto Rs 2.70 and Rs 1.75 per litre increase in selling price of petrol and diesel.

The hike, which would be effective from June 3 midnight, follows over $ 5 a barrel increase in crude oil prices over the past couple of months.

Consequently, petrol in Delhi would now cost Rs 28.94 per litre as against the prevailing Rs 26.54; while in Kolkata the consumer would have to pay Rs 29.39 (Rs 26.99), in Mumbai Rs 33.47 (Rs 30.70) and in Chennai Rs 31.05 as against the present Rs 28.49 a litre.

Likewise, consumers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai would have to pay Rs 17.99, Rs 22.85, Rs 18.38, and Rs 19.23 per litre of diesel respectively.

The government also announced reduction in excise duty for both petrol and diesel.

On petrol, the duty has been reduced to 30 per cent from 32 per cent while in the case of diesel it has been reduced to 14 per cent from the existing 16 per cent.

PTI