No increase in petrol, diesel prices; govt to protect common man

New Delhi, Nov 4 : Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today said there was no proposal to increase the domestic prices of petrol or diesel, notwithstanding the steep hike in global crude prices.

Addressing the Economic Editors' Conference here, Mr Deora said the government has maintained the prices of sensitive products keeping them at affordable levels with a view not to burn a hole in the common man's pocket.

Kerosene prices at Rs nine a litre were the lowest in the wrold and the product costs even less than a bottle of mineral water.

Global crude prices are hovering at around 70 dollars a barrel.

The last increase in prices of petrol and diesel were effected on July 2, 2009 when global prices were in the range of 65 to 70 dollars a barrel.

Analysts feel that the domestic prices of petrol and diesel ought to be increased as the Oil Marketing Companies are taking a hit due to the phenomenal increase in global prices of the two products.

Mr Deora began making his statement by saying that the government has maintained the prices of petrol and petroleum products to protect the man on the street.

Mr Deora's interaction was the last in the series of the annual event, which began its proceedings yesterday.

The Conference was being attended by about 300 journalists, 90 of whom were from various parts of the country.

The last session with Mr Deora was well attended, even though many mediapersons had to pack off for their homes as the curtains came down on the annual jamboree.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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