Cabinet did not discuss fuel price hike: Chidambaram

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) that met here Thursday did not discuss the issue of hike in petrol and diesel, Home Minister P Chidambaram said.

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) that met here Thursday did not discuss the issue of hike in petrol and diesel, Home Minister P Chidambaram said. Following a recommendation by a government-appointed committee, there had been speculation that a hike was imminent.

"It was not taken up," Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting, in response to a query if the issue was discussed by the CCEA.

The Kirit Parikh committee, which gave its report last week, suggested that petrol and diesel prices could be hiked by Rs.3-4 per litre to reduce under-recovery of oil marketing companies.

It also suggested hiking price of kerosene by Rs.6 per litre and of cooking gas by Rs.100 a cylinder.

There had been speculation that the government would take a decision on the matter soon, but the rumours reduced somewhat after the Congress core group did not take it up in its meeting Wednesday night.

IANS

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