After six consecutive hikes in petrol prices since June 1, the government has finally given some relief to the common people with a populist announcement today. The petrol prices have been reduced by Rs 3.05 per litre with immediate effect from midnight today. On the other hand, the diesel prices have been hiked by 50 paise per litre. On September 13, the oil companies had hiked the petrol prices by Rs 1.63 per litre (without VAT).

Earlier, the petrol prices were hiked by 75 paise on June 1, Rs 2 on June 16, Rs 1.82 on June 29, Rs 1.55 on July 15, 70 paise on August 1 and Rs 2.35 on August 31. The government tries to fool the public by hiking the petrol prices by Rs 3.98 (excluding VAT) in less than two weeks and then reducing the prices by Rs 3.05 per litre.

The government with the aid of oil companies, wants to send a message to the public that it bothers about their plight. But, this juggling with the facts, won’t be able to convince the voters, who have become too intelligent to get swayed away by these tactics.