Kolkata, May 25 -- West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Monday addressed the hike in fuel prices, saying that the situation has reached a point where a minimum hike is inevitable.

The statement comes after the petrol and diesel prices were hiked once again today, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks amid continued volatility in global crude markets and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

"Just recall what has been going on for the past 3-4 years. In some countries, petrol and diesel are simply unavailable. However, the Prime Minister provided relief to the people... But today, the situation has reached this critical point, some price hike became inevitable; consequently, only a minimum increase has been implemented....