Diesel prices at record level; petrol nears all-time high
New Delhi, Aug 27 : Diesel prices touched record high levels across metro cities on Monday, barring Mumbai, and prices of petrol too inched nearer their all-time peak across major cities.
In the national capital, diesel was priced at Rs 69.46 per litre, against the previous high of Rs 69.32
recorded on Sunday, according to data from the Indian Oil Corporation.
In Kolkata and Chennai, the key transportation fuel was priced at Rs 72.31 and Rs 73.38 per litre respectively, up from 72.16 and Rs 73.23 on Sunday, which were themselves record highs.
Cost of diesel in Mumbai, was at Rs 73.74 on Monday, just five paise short of its all-time of Rs 73.79 per litre, recorded on May 29. On Sunday, it was priced at 73.59 in the financial capital of the country.
The rise in prices of diesel gains significance as it is mostly used in transportation of food and agricultural products and an increase in its price may lead to higher inflation.
The surge in fuel prices is largely attributed to the recent rise in crude oil cost and the high excise duty levied on transportation fuel in the country.
In line with increase in diesel prices, petrol prices too are on the rise and are nearing their all-time high levels. In Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, the fuel was priced Rs 77.91, Rs 80.84, Rs 85.31 and Rs 80.94 per litre, respectively, on Monday, against the previous levels of Rs 85.20, Rs 80.80, Rs 86.24 and Rs 81.43 per litre.
The all-time high petrol prices in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai are Rs 78.43, Rs 81.06, Rs 86.24 and Rs 81.43 per litre, touched in May 29.
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Kerala enters silence campaigning phase; Candidates make last-mile outreach
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala on Wednesday entered the mandatory silence period ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, with candidates and party workers making last-ditch efforts to reach out to voters through door-to-door visits and personal contacts.
After nearly a month-long campaigning period, a total of 2.71 crore voters would exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 883 candidates in the crucial polling for the 140-member Assembly to be held on Thursday.
With high-decibel campaigning ending on Tuesday evening, the focus has now shifted to quiet, direct voter engagement, as candidates seek to secure support from all sections of voters in their constituencies.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed in sensitive constituencies to prevent any untoward incidents, while distribution of polling materials is being carried out across the state from Wednesday morning.
According to the Election Commission, campaigning through public meetings, rallies, media interactions and election-related interviews is strictly prohibited during the silence period to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders.
In an advisory, the Commission directed star campaigners and political leaders to refrain from addressing the media through press conferences or interviews on poll-related matters during this period. Of the total 2.71 crore voters, 1.32 crore are men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters.
The contest is primarily among three fronts -- the CPI(M)-led LDF, the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA.
The state's Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U Kelkar, has said that all arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of polls.
A total of 30,495 polling stations have been set up across Kerala, including 24 auxiliary booths created following the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, he said.
These additional booths are located in Kasaragod, Kannur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts.
Among the polling stations, 352 will be managed entirely by women and 37 by persons with disabilities, Kelkar said.
He added that 140 distribution and collection centres have been established, while counting will take place at 140 strongrooms and 43 locations.
As part of security measures, around 2,000 persons identified as potential troublemakers have been placed under preventive detention. Authorities have also executed about 11,000 non-bailable warrants and removed over 3,400 social media posts for alleged violations of poll norms.
The conclusion of public campaigning on Tuesday evening saw a vibrant display of political mobilisation across the state, with roadshows, rallies and processions filling town centres, marked by party flags, drum beats and slogan-shouting workers.
Apart from traditional canvassing, political parties also relied heavily on television, print media and social media platforms to reach voters during the campaign period.
