New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) in Bihar and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defuse the problem of rising petrol and diesel prices that’s hurting the common people. There is a growing public concern over the sharp spike in petrol and diesel prices found an echo in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp.

Petrol prices have increased from Rs 74.31 on January 1 to Rs 85.51 on Tuesday, an increase of Rs 11.20. Diesel prices in the corresponding period have risen from Rs 63.38 to Rs 76.95, an increase of Rs 13.57. The hike is the result of rising international crude oil prices and depreciation of the rupee against the dollar.

“The continuous rise in prices of petrol and diesel has become a cause of serious concern. It will impact the cost of transportation, agriculture activities and, ultimately, have a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities and products. The issue needs to be addressed,” said JD (U) spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad.

Another JD (U) leader, Ajay Alok, tweeted: “Rising Petrol and Diesel prices are hurting now, Dollar soaring and rupee falling, Takes the Air out of rising GDP, we do hope PM @narendramodi will act ASAP”.

In Punjab, SAD demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under the goods and services tax (GST) regime to provide immediate relief to the people.

“The Congress government in Punjab is charging one of the highest taxes on petrol and diesel. It needs to provide immediate relief to consumers by cutting down taxes. The Centre should bring fuel prices under GST so that states cannot levy heavy VAT (value added tax) on fuel,” SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said.