CHARKHI DADRI, MAY 25 — Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Monday defended the recent series of petrol and diesel price hikes, attributing the increases to escalating geopolitical friction between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Rana noted that global supply chains have faced predictable constraints, which directly influenced domestic retail rates.
The minister stated that the retail price modifications, which marked the fourth domestic hike within a 10-day window, were an inevitable outcome of international supply disruptions. Under the latest pricing updates, petrol rates increased by ₹2.61 per litre, while diesel climbed by ₹2.71 per litre.
“There is huge demand for petrol and diesel, but supply has been affected due to the Iran-America conflict,” Rana said during a media interaction. “The regions from where oil comes are witnessing a war-like atmosphere, so naturally there will be difficulties regarding oil.”
Rana affirmed that the economic impact on Indian consumers remained limited due to the strategic planning and fiscal policies implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He appealed to commuters across the state to eliminate unnecessary fuel consumption and utilize petroleum products strictly as required.
Addressing his own arrival at the venue in a police escort vehicle, the minister stated that using the official security vehicle was a deliberate measure to conserve fuel. He maintained that petroleum products should be prioritized for core manufacturing, production, and agricultural activities rather than being wasted on roads.
The media briefing occurred following a District Grievance Redressal Committee meeting at the local Panchayat Bhawan, where Rana reviewed 14 scheduled public grievances and resolved nine on the spot. In a subsequent administrative session at Vikas Bhawan, the minister approved a ₹23.75 crore district development plan for the 2026-27 financial year, which allocates ₹15.89 crore for rural projects and ₹7.86 crore for urban infrastructure.
