Kolkata, May 15 -- West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Friday defended the Centre's decision to increase petrol and diesel prices, saying the global conflict and ongoing energy crisis have impacted fuel rates across the world, while asserting that the Narendra Modi-led government had protected citizens from major economic shocks.

Speaking on the hike in fuel prices, Ghosh said the increase had been kept to a minimum despite difficult global circumstances. "For the past 3 years, a war has been going on in the world. Due to this, various types of crises have arisen in other countries. Prime Minister Modi has not let any harm come to us. Only the price of gas has increased. At least the price has been increased to the minimum," Ghosh told r...