The Hindu : Front Page : Sonia not for kerosene, LPG price hike

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Saturday, Oct 28, 2006
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Sonia not for kerosene, LPG price hike

Special Correspondent

Government is committed to protecting the common man's interest: Deora

New Delhi: The Government has decided not to raise the prices of kerosene or LPG on the advice of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Disclosing this here on Friday, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said that Ms. Gandhi has clearly stated that prices of the poor man's fuel should not be raised and the Government is complying with her instructions.

He told reporters that the Government was committed to protecting the common man's interest at all costs. In this regard, he pointed out that the Government was already giving subsidy on food and fertilizers. Then why not on fuel, he wondered. He noted that despite a projected Rs. 73,500 crore under- recovery on sale of petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene, only petrol and diesel prices had been raised marginally in June. Mr. Deora said that nowhere in the world was kerosene being sold at Rs. 9 per litre. This showed the UPA Government's resolve to protect the poor man.

He stressed that global oil prices have eased since June when prices were last raised but have not fallen to a level that warranted a cut in domestic retail prices.

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