Diesel decontrol certain, says PM

Fuel pricing reforms will go ahead full throttle notwithstanding opposition from the BJP-led NDA and the UPA partners. After petrol, retail prices of kerosene will be deregulated to trim the deficit and restore fiscal balance. Cooking gas and kerosene will continue to be subsidised.

“Petrol prices have been set free, the same is going to be done to diesel prices,” Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, asserted.

Briefing reporters aboard Air India One on the way to Frankfurt after participating in the G-20 summit in Toronto, Dr Singh said, “We have taken due care to ensure that the poorer sections are affected the least possible and (will) keep under regulation the prices of kerosene and LPG.”

Last Friday, the UPA government deregulated and increased petrol prices by Rs 3.50 per litre. Simultaneously, diesel and kerosene was made dearer by Rs 2 and Rs 3 per litre respectively and the cooking gas subsidy was reduced by Rs 35 per cylinder.

The NDA, and UPA allies like the Trinamul Congress and DMK, have opposed the increase.