New Delhi, June 21 (TIWN) Petrol and diesel prices continued to rise through the fortnight with the two auto fuels getting dearer by 51 and 61 paise per litre respectively on Saturday.

A sharp increase in diesel price over the past fortnight is seen pushing up cultivation costs as kharif sowing picks up across several States.

Price of diesel rose for the 13th consecutive day on Friday and the total increase is over ₹8 per litre during this period. As mechanisation of farm activities picks up, driven by labour shortage and rising wages, the fuel price rise has upset the farmers’ calculations and could delay the process of doubling farm incomes.