Jugnauth: Petrol Up Rs 11, Diesel Up Rs 15 Since 2024 Under New Govt

Opposition leader and Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM) party chief Pravind Jugnauth has sharply criticised the current government's decision to raise fuel prices, calling it a "crime" against Mauritian households and businesses. Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, 8 May at Sun Trust in Port-Louis, Jugnauth stated that petrol now costs Rs 11 more per litre than it did in 2024, while diesel has risen by Rs 15 per litre over the same period. **The trigger: a contested economic report** Jugnauth argued that the government used the report titled *The State of the Economy* — a document released by the current administration to justify a range of fiscal and economic decisions — as the basis for hiking fuel prices. He dismissed the report as "a tissue of lies" that does not accurately reflect the true state of the Mauritian economy. The MSM, which led the government until its defeat in the November 2024 general election, has been mounting a sustained campaign against what it calls misleading economic narratives promoted by the new government. **Why this matters** Fuel prices in Mauritius are set by the State Trading Corporation (STC), a government body responsible for importing and distributing petroleum products. Price adjustments are typically linked to global oil prices and foreign exchange rates — but the government also has discretion in timing and magnitude of changes. For ordinary Mauritians, a combined increase of Rs 11 on petrol and Rs 15 on diesel is significant. Transport costs, food delivery, and the price of goods across the supply chain are all sensitive to fuel price movements. Diesel in particular powers public buses, lorries, and fishing boats, meaning its price feeds directly into everyday living costs. **What this means for readers** If you drive, commute, run a business, or rely on goods transport in Mauritius, these price increases directly affect your wallet. The political dispute around *The State of the Economy* report is also important context: the opposition is arguing that the justification given for the hikes is based on flawed or politically motivated data — a claim the government has not yet publicly addressed in this specific context. Jugnauth's remarks add fuel (literally) to a broader opposition offensive challenging the economic credibility of the Ramgoolam-led government, which took office following the MSM's landslide defeat last year. Source: ION News