Amid rising fuel prices across India, Odisha has set a new record in the country with diesel becoming costlier than petrol. On Monday, diesel was selling at Rs 80.40 per liter, while petrol was at Rs 80.27 per liter. The price of diesel surpassed that of petrol for the first time in Odisha on Saturday.Usually, diesel prices are lower in comparison to petrol due to lower taxes, dealer commissions and lower base price. However, in recent months, diesel base price, which is the price charged from dealers by oil companies without tax, has gone up by around Rs 5 because of higher global crude oil prices. Besides, state governments charge higher VAT on petrol than diesel, but Odisha charges a uniform 26 per cent VAT on both fuel. This has also led to this unprecedented situation.The situation in the BJD-ruled state has fuelled a political blame game between ruling party and the opposition led by BJP. The government blamed the faulty policies of the Centre for higher fuel prices, while BJP asked state government to cut VAT on fuel to give relief to consumers."This imbalance is mostly due to faulty policy of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre ... There could be a tactical understanding between the central government and oil marketing companies," PTI quoted Odisha Finance Minister S B Behera as saying.BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, "Finance minister (Behera) should be judicious while making a statement on an important issue. Every body in the country knows the reason behind the rise in the prices of fuel. While 13 states have reduced VAT on the fuel, Odisha government is yet take a decision in this regard."(Inputs from PTI)