The price of petrol and diesel has recorded an all-time high this month. The price of petrol increased by almost Nu 4 on Saturday. Diesel saw an increase of more than Nu 5 per litre.
In Thimphu, a litre of petrol now costs Nu 81.54 and diesel touches Nu 80.06 a litre.
Before the rise, petrol was Nu 77.68 a litre and diesel was sold at Nu 75.02.
The fuel price is revised twice a month. According to the Department of Trade, the increase is due to the rising price of global crude oil and rupee depreciation. It now takes more rupees to purchase a dollar. One dollar is now equal to Rs 75.
The price of global crude oil has gone up to almost 85 dollars per barrel due to high demand as a result of the opening up of economies across the globe.
The department also said that the current increase in price is not abnormal considering the current inflation rate and prices compared to October 2018.
In 2018, the highest price for fuel was recorded at Nu 73.04 per litre for petrol and Nu 72.85 for diesel.
The country’s fuel price is dependent on the Indian economy since Bhutan directly imports fossil fuel products from India.
In India, the price of petrol and diesel continue to remain high. The price of petrol in Delhi rose to its highest-ever level of Rs 105.84 a litre and diesel costs Nu 94.57 per litre as of yesterday.
The trade department said the rise in the price of fuel is expected to continue until the global demand and supply stabilizes.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
