Karnataka government cuts fuel prices by Rs 2 per litre

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday announced the coalition government's decision to cut petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre.

The announcement comes in the wake of political pressure building against Kumaraswamy after Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments reduced fuel prices.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has cut taxes on fuel by Rs 2 and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by Re 1.

"Today, this coalition government has decided to reduce both petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre," Kumaraswamy, who heads a JD(S)-Congress government, said while addressing an event here.

Fuel prices have been climbing since August 16.

The rising fuel prices have created a political storm with the opposition launching a scathing attack against the Narendra Modi government, which has cited international factors for it.

Fuel prices are the steepest in Maharashtra and the lowest in Andaman and Nicobar.