India''s Inflation Under Control: Union Minister Mohol

Pune, Jun 15 (PTI) Inflation in India is under control compared to many other countries despite the economic challenges arising from international conflicts, Union minister Murlidhar Mohol said on Monday.



The BJP MP from Pune, who was speaking to reporters here on the Narendra Modi government's 12 years in office, however, appeared to be unaware of the price of petrol. He claimed it to be Rs 96 per litre, and was told by reporters that the price was much higher.



"As far as inflation is concerned, it was 9.8 per cent during the UPA government, but now it has come down to 5.8 per cent," Mohol said.



He attributed the rise in prices of petroleum products and cooking gas to global factors, saying several countries across the world are facing similar challenges.



"Due to the current crisis, the prices of crude oil, be it petrol, diesel or gas, have increased, but this is a global phenomenon. A lot of countries are suffering because of it. Once the war-like situation is over, things will improve," said the Minister of State for Civil Aviation.



He also linked the depreciation of the rupee to the ongoing global crisis but said there had been progress on that front.




Mohol claimed that petrol prices in India were lower than in several countries. Petrol prices stood at Rs 125 in South Africa, Rs 123 in Brazil, Rs 166 in Australia, Rs 170 in Germany and Rs 233 in Switzerland when converted into the Indian currency, he said.



When he stated that the petrol price in the country was around Rs 96 per litre and some reporters corrected him, Mohol quipped that he uses an electric vehicle, and hence is unaware of the petrol price.

The petrol price in the city was Rs 111 per litre on Monday.



LPG prices in countries such as the United States and Australia were significantly higher than in India, the MP said.



"The world is going through a crisis and India is also a part of it. But compared to other countries, India's condition is better and under control, and the government has been successful in keeping it under control," the BJP leader said.



The BJP's repeated electoral successes reflected public satisfaction with the government's performance, he claimed.