India: Government Ministers Meet on Kirit Parikh Recommendations
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Friday, 12 February 2010 |
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Facing opposition from key allies in the UPA government, Petroleum
Minister Murli Deora will meet Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to
explore the possibility of tweaking a proposal to hike fuel prices.
The Petroleum Ministry did not take the proposal to deregulate
fuel prices from government control to the Union Cabinet on 10th
February, along with a hike in diesel, cooking gas and kerosene rates,
apparently because of opposition from the Trinamool Congress and the
DMK to such a move.
"No, it was not discussed...," Home Minister P Chidambaram said after a
meeting of the Union Cabinet. Sources said both Mukherjee and Deora
were in favour of Rs two to three a litre hike in petrol and diesel
prices and Rs 25 per cylinder increase in LPG rates, but the allies did
not want diesel, LPG and kerosene prices to be affected.
To find a solution, Deora will meet Mukherjee on Sunday February 14,
the sources said, adding that the meeting will explore if government
subsidy support can be increased so as to keep the price increase to
the bare minimum.
PetrolWorld India 110210
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