By Bizodisha Bureau, October 21, 2018: A litre of diesel cost 12 paise more than that of petrol in Bhubaneswar on Sunday with diesel being sold at Rs 80.69 per litre while petrol cost 80.57 per litre.

This is the first time that the price of diesel surpassed that of petrol in Odisha.

This has sparked off a political row with the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the opposition Congress blaming the “faulty” policy of the central government for the rise in price of diesel.

“This imbalance is mostly due to faulty policy of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. There could be a tactical understanding between the central government and oil marketing companies,” Odisha finance minister, Sashi Bhusan Behera told reporters adding that it could flare up prices of essential commodities.

Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association general secretary Sanjay Lath said while other states have different VAT rates for petrol and diesel, Odisha charges a uniform 26 per cent VAT on both.

He claimed that there has been a decline in sale of diesel in Odisha because of the high prices of the fuel.

Senior Congress leader Arya Gyanendra said, “There is an inefficient government at the Centre which failed to regulate fuel price, particularly diesel …”

BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, “Everybody in the country knows the reason behind the rise in the prices of fuel. While 13 states have reduced VAT on the fuel, Odisha government is yet to take a decision in this regard.”

Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan again asked the state government to reduce the rate of VAT to give relief to people.