Fuel consumption in northern states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has declined by up to 16 per cent following the hike in petrol and diesel prices last month, according to a data provided by oil companies.
As per the figures given by State Level Coordinator of Oil Firms here, the retail sale of petrol in Punjab has dipped 16.09 per cent to 33,100 metric tonne (MT) in June this year, against 39,450 MT in the same period last year.
In Himachal Pradesh, the petrol in take went down to 5,640 MT in the month of June, from 6,500 MT in the same period last year, a negative growth of 13 per cent.
The sale of petrol has moved down to 8,370 MT in the month under review from 9,380 MT in the same period last year, recording a dip of 10.76 per cent.
The impact of surge in the fuel prices is also visible on the sale of diesel in these states.
As per oil companies' officials, the direct and retail sale of diesel in Punjab, J&K and Himachal Pradesh has reduced to 2.26 lakh MT, 41,373 MT and 31,351 MT in the month of June from 2.45 lakh MT, 43,083 MT and 34,500 MT, respectively, in corresponding period of last year.
The Union Government had announced an increase in the petrol prices by Rs 5 a litre and diesel by Rs 3 per litre on June 4, amid spiraling global crude oil prices.
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The negative growth in fuel consumption in these states has also led to a flat growth in overall sale of petroleum products of the public sector oil companies.
Oil firms have witnessed a flat growth last month against an average eight-nine per cent growth they generally see in June, said a senior official of an oil company told PTI.
"The adverse impact on sale of petrol is quite evident if you see the data relating to sale of petrol in the region because of a hike in fuel prices," he added.