Image Source: INDIA TODAY

The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday approved a hike in the prices of petrol and diesel, a state minister said. Briefing reporters after the state cabinet meeting here, Uttar Pradesh Finance minister Suresh Khanna said, "The UP government has increased the price of petrol by Rs 2 per litre, and that of diesel by Rs 1 per litre." He added, "Petrol will now cost Rs 73.91 per litre in UP, while diesel will be available at Rs 63.86 per litre. The hiked prices will come into effect from midnight today." The move follows the Centre's decision on Tuesday to increase excise duty on petrol by a record Rs 10 per litre and Rs 13 per litre for diesel. The hike, however, did not push up fuel prices as global oil prices have dropped to a nearly two-decade low.