Panaji: Because fuel prices continue throughout the country, gasoline remains only RS 4 away from a temporary sign of a diesel standing at Rs 93.98 per liter in Goa.
The principal fuel operator said that fuel consumption has declined across the country with retail sales standing around 60-70% of pre-covid levels.
While consumers complain about the surge in fuel prices and strengthen themselves to fuel to touch the RS 100 sign, the fuel station operator says they do not see changes in consumer behavior when it comes to fuel consumption.
Since the Pandemic hit India in mid-March last year, fuel prices had soared 25% and with revenue revenues, the state and the center had taxes on fuel.
Value Added Tax (PPN) and other central taxes and countries contribute 67% of the price of gas stations and 61% of retail prices for diesel.
“People have the habit of refueling based on round quantities and not fuel quantities.
Customers come with a round number of presets that they continue to do,” said partner in Gauri Petrol Pump, Porvorim, Padma Kamat.
The owner of the fuel pump along the North Goa coastal belt, which mainly serves tourists and tourist taxis, has seen a sharp decline in consumption, which he thinks will not recover before tourism continues in the state.
Meanwhile, in the interior, the fuel stations are mostly not affected because their customers continue to be filled despite price increases.
Kamat said that the dynamics of fuel consumption might have changed, but the price factor does not seem to prevent people from filling.
“Even if the price of fuel increases, customers continue to buy fuel.
By default, consumption is reduced because the price per liter has increased.
Customers can complain about the level, but they have no choice,” said the fuel station manager in Panaji.
Gasoline prices have crossed the 100-a-liter Rs sign in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
While the price of fuel in Goa was significantly lower than other countries a few years ago, the difference has been eroded since the Pramod Sawant Government climbs VAT on fuel.