Unacceptable: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay slams Rs 3 fuel price hike, seeks rollback

Chennai,UPDATED: May 15, 2026 19:04 IST

Petrol and diesel prices in India were hiked by around Rs 3 per litre on Friday, marking the first major fuel price increase in nearly four years as state-run oil companies grapple with surging global crude oil prices amid tensions in West Asia.

Amid the surge in price, Tamil Nadu CM, Vijay, called the decision to the hike 'unacceptable'. In a statement released by the CMO, Tamil Nadu, he said, "The Union Government's public sector oil companies have increased the prices of petroleum products, especially petrol by Rs. 3/- per litre and diesel by Rs. 3/- per litre. This is unacceptable."

He also mentioned that when the price of crude oil in the international market decreases, the petrol companies do not reduce the prices of petrol and diesel accordingly. Instead, those companies only take profits. "This increase in the price of petroleum products after the assembly elections in five states is wrong," he added.

The CM's statement argues the increase burdens common people, raises transport and living costs, and exacerbates inflation, calling on the Union Government to reconsider the move. "This price increase will have a significant impact on the monthly income of the poor, poor and middle-class people who use two-wheelers and scooters. Those who take bank loans and operate vehicles on rent will be subjected to additional financial burden and their economy will also be affected," the statement read.

The possibility of increasing the rent of rented vehicles due to the increase in the prices of petroleum products was also raised in the statement. "This will lead to an increase in the prices of daily necessities and will also affect the purchasing power of the poor and poor people," questioned the statement.

Vijay, lastly, also voiced his concern for the micro, small and medium enterprises and said that they are likely to experience a slowdown in the market and exports as the cost of production of the products they produce increases due to the increase in the price of petroleum products. "Therefore, I urge the Union Government to immediately roll back the price hike of petroleum products, which is affecting the poor, the middle class, and micro, small and medium enterprises," he said in the conclusion.

The basket of crude oil that India imports averaged USD 69 per barrel in February before the war in West Asia broke out. It averaged around USD 113-114 per barrel in the subsequent months. The war is being attributed the primary cause behind this sudden rise in prices.

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