Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Oil price hike was inevitable: DMK

Special Correspondent

Evolve alternative strategies to tackle escalating costs: CPI

CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, M. Karunanidhi, on Tuesday welcomed the Centre's decision not to increase the price of cooking gas following requests made by the Left parties and constituents of the United Progressive Alliance including his party.

On the Centre's move to increase the price of petrol and diesel, Mr. Karunanidhi said it had become inevitable to impose a hike in the price of petroleum products at least to some extent as the cost of crude oil in the international market was going up. Previous governments too had imposed similar fuel price hikes, he pointed out.

The State secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), D. Pandian, urged the Centre to evolve alternative strategies to tackle the situation caused by the escalating cost of crude oil, instead of effecting a hike in the fuel prices. In a statement here, he criticised the Centre's decision to increase the price of petrol and diesel by Rs. 3 and Rs. 2 respectively. The decision would increase the burden of the people. The fuel price hike had become inevitable because of the multi-point taxes imposed by the Centre and the State Governments, he said.

Welcoming the Government's decision not to increase the price of cooking gas and kerosene, he said increasing the price of petrol and diesel might trigger an increase in the cost of other commodities besides paving the way for inflation. He said fuel restrictions must be placed for vehicles used by various government departments.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder, S. Ramadoss, urged the State Government to reduce the sales tax on petrol and diesel at least to some extent to ensure that the price of essential articles did not rise.

In a statement here, he said the Centre should have explored the possibility of alternative measures such as reduction of taxes instead of increasing oil prices. The Government's decision not to hike the price of kerosene and cooking gas used by the poor and middle-class people was a consolation.

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, said the Centre's decision to increase the oil prices for the fifth time in a year would affect the middle classes. Farmers would face a difficult situation due to the diesel price hike. Though the Centre cited the escalating cost in the international market for the fuel price hike, it should come forward to withdraw the price increase in the interest of the consumers.

The president of the All India Tax Payers Association, Ashok Kumbhat, called for steps to reduce the excise duty and customs duty and to curtail avoidable expenses by oil companies to minimise losses. He urged the State Government to reduce the rate of sales tax on petrol and diesel.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Action plan for hunger-free India proposed
Questions, answers and winners
Electronics goods manufacturers demand a level playing field
Concentrate on domestic market, IT companies told
City police nab knife-wielding felons in late night swoop
Jayalalithaa failed to uphold political decency, says Vaiko
Oil price hike was inevitable: DMK
Court orders immediate release of four kept in illegal custody
Mega-sized violations of the rules
Jayalalithaa flays fuel price increase
Yatra planned to save Noyyal
Suitable technology for tsunami shelters sought
Labourer dies in building collapse
Encouraging young achievers to excel
Nod sought for transfer of postal savings accounts
Woman lecturer run over by train
At Alwarpet, crafts to enchant the senses
Consumer durables should reach rural areas: official
Art exhibition to mark Mahatma's centenary
Workshops on Child Sexual Abuse from September 12
Schoolgirl designs drainage disposal system for trains
Court seeks list of places for idol immersion
Tata Indicom launches `True Value Hub'
Back to school with loads of fun
A love story with a dose of humour
A beauty contest for married women
Three-member gang arrested
Tapping technical abilities
Students to spread awareness on conservation
Jayalalithaa to throw open `Connect 2005'
Young World quiz final to be held at Kochi
Erode school gets award
Railway employees hold demonstration
1 lakh women sign petition for reservation
Keep away from disruptive forces, students told
Discharge from Mettur reservoir increased
He is all set to float
Move aside Aishwarya Rai
Petrol, diesel prices up in Pondicherry
Around the City
In Chennai Today

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu