New Delhi, April 7 -- The government may face increasing fiscal pressure if rising global crude oil prices are not passed on to consumers, with the potential for a significant impact on the fiscal deficit, said Ranen Banerjee, Partner and Economic Advisory Leader at PwC India.

Speaking to ANI, Banerjee said that the current strategy of holding pump prices despite rising crude costs may become difficult to sustain over time.

"They're holding on to the pump prices of fuel. I think that is a little unsustainable given the situation that we are in. And if that is not passed on very soon to the consumers, then the fiscal deficits will see a significant bump up. And if the fiscal deficits go up, then the choice for the government will be eith...