Petrol price was today hiked by 2 rupees 78 paise per litre and diesel by 1 rupee 83 paise in the national capital as Delhi government has decided to increase the VAT on the two products. The new rate will come into effect from mid night tonight. The VAT rate on petrol has been increased from present 20 to 25 percent and on diesel from 12.5 to 16.6 percent . Now for petrol, consumers will have to pay 69.43 rupees for a litre and for diesel 52.07 rupees in the city. In a statement, the City government said that the VAT has been increased on the basis of the decision taken in the meeting of Finance Ministers of Northern States in May this year for bringing uniformity in the tax rates. However, Delhi government said the effective retail price of petrol, even after this increase, will be lowest in Delhi as compared to neighbouring States including Haryana and Punjab. It said after this increase retail price of diesel in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi will be almost the same.