New Delhi: Congress on Tuesday took credit for the
slash in petrol prices, asserting that it had asked the
government to do everything possible to bring it down.
"The party has repeatedly said that Government should take
all efforts to check the rise in oil prices as well as
inflation. It's a good decision and has given relief to common
man," party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
Dwivedi said Congress was in favour of changing any policy
which did not bring the desired result and benefit people "as
policies are made in the interest of people."
"At that time when it was argued that it's not the
government but the oil companies that have raised the price
and they have the right to do it due to a decision (removing
the Administered Price Mechanism), we have also said that
policies are made in the interest of people and if there is a
policy which does not bring the desired result or give succour
to people, it can be changed," he said.
Asked whether the decision to slash petrol prices was
taken under pressure from the allies or Congress or due to
market realities, he said, "This decision, in whatever manner,
is a good step as the party believes all possible steps should
be taken to give relief to people. We should not go into how
and why it (revision) was decided."
Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal, however, maintained
that the government had no role either in the increase or
decrease of petrol prices and the slash in petrol price only
proves it.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 23:14