Fuel price hike leading citizens to rework budgets

Workers in high mobility gig economy worst-affected

Unrelenting fuel price rise in Hyderabad has forced citizens to rework budgets and cut down on expenses. On Thursday, the sixth day in 10 days of price hike, petrol retailed at ₹112.66 paise in the city. A day earlier it was ₹112.29. “Do something so that this price spiral stops,” said a motor mechanic filling up fuel at an outlet in Rethi Bowli area.

“I am spending nearly ₹200 more per day. Two months earlier, I used to fill diesel for ₹400 and by the end of the day my earnings would be ₹1,200. But now, I spend ₹600 on diesel and my earnings are the same,” said Lakshmi Sagar, who lives in the Aramghar area and drives a hired autorickshaw for living.

Workers in the high mobility gig economy have been the worst-affected due to the fuel price hike. “This is a back-breaking price hike. Three months back, I used to spend ₹15,000 per month on diesel. Now, I am spending ₹22,000. Many families had to change houses due to the dip in earnings,” says Shaik Salauddin, who drives a diesel cab for living. “None of the online platforms have increased the base price to match with the fuel price rise. The companies make the same money but our take home has declined,” he says.