Hike no 5 hits drivers

Motorists up in arms against R1.82 petrol hike, the fifth since Jan 2011 Petrol prices rose again for the fifth consecutive time since January this year. The price has gone up from Rs 72 to 73.82 (per litre) as oil-marketing companies hiked the prices from midnight. State-owned oil companies Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum last hiked petrol prices by Rs 3.14 a litre on September 16.Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj was quick to express her displeasure with the government. She said via twitter Petrol price hiked again, another blow to the common man from an insensitive Government.How many more? Motorists in the city have witnessed a rise in petrol prices from Rs 63.08 to 73.82, since January this yearCitizens on the street reacted to the hike in prices with anger. Motorist Dheeraj Bhatia said, The government increasing the petrol prices every two to three months is an issue of concern for middle and upper middleclass. If it keeps continuing the same way then the day is not far when we will have to park our cars at home and travel by public transport. The way the prices are increasing only indicates the ineffectiveness of the UPA government in keeping the inflation rate down.There will be a time when buying gold will be cheaper than petrol. I have to buy a diesel or CNG car in order to continue to commute by car. The government should explain how petrol prices keep increasing every month, said motorist Jubin Joshi, Borivali-based businessman.Meanwhile, a report by CRISIL says that domestic car sales fell by around 24 per cent in October 2011 in sharp contrast to the strong growth of 38 per cent in October 2010, indicating a sharp decline in purchase of cars.u00a0