Claim on Petrol Prices and Government Excise Duty Under Scrutiny

Crude Oil Prices and Petrol Costs The claim correctly identifies that in 2014, crude oil was around $105 per barrel and petrol prices were approximately ₹72 per litre [3]. It also notes that crude oil prices have fluctuated and, at times, have been lower than in 2014, while petrol prices have exceeded ₹100 per litre in many cities [3][10].

However, the specific claim that crude oil is currently $96 per barrel while petrol is over ₹100 per litre is not consistently supported by the provided real-time data, which shows more recent crude oil prices around $90.67 per barrel [10]. Excise Duty and Government Actions The claim accurately states that excise duties on petrol have been increased by the government and that these increases have contributed to higher fuel prices [3].

It is also true that during the COVID-19 pandemic, crude oil prices dropped significantly, and subsequently, excise duties were raised [3]. The claim about a specific increase from ₹10 to ₹20 per litre in May 2020 is not precisely verifiable with the provided sources, though an increase did occur [3].

The speculative calculation that petrol would cost ₹40 per litre without the tax hike is not supported by evidence. Price Hikes and Ethanol Content The claim correctly points out that petrol prices have risen, especially during periods of geopolitical tension like the Russia-Ukraine war, and that prices have exceeded ₹100 per litre in various cities [3][1].

It is also accurate that petrol sold in India contains ethanol, and its wholesale price is considerably lower than the retail price [3]. However, specific figures regarding the total increase in excise duty by ₹32 per litre and a ₹5.60 per litre hike in nine days in 2022 are not precisely substantiated by the provided references.