Amid growing chatter on social media about a sharp rise in fuel prices, the government has stepped in to set the record straight. The fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has dismissed viral claims of a major hike in petrol and diesel prices as fake, clarifying that no such order has been issued.
The viral message, which circulated widely across platforms, claimed that petrol prices had been increased by Rs 10 per litre and diesel by Rs 12.50 per litre. It was presented as an official notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. However, PIB’s Fact Check unit confirmed that the document is not genuine and urged citizens to rely only on verified government sources for accurate updates.
Context of Misinformation
The clarification comes at a time when global oil markets are witnessing volatility due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. This backdrop has made consumers more sensitive to any news related to fuel prices, allowing such misinformation to spread quickly.
Adding to the reassurance, a senior government official also stated that there is currently no proposal to increase retail fuel prices. This indicates that, for now, there is no immediate impact on consumers despite fluctuations in international crude oil rates.
Current Fuel Prices in Major Cities
- Delhi: Petrol at Rs 94.77 per litre, diesel at Rs 87.67 per litre
- Mumbai: Petrol at Rs 103.54 per litre, diesel at Rs 90.03 per litre
Fuel prices across other major cities also remain unchanged. The government advises citizens to verify any such claims through official channels and not fall prey to unverified information circulating on social media.
