New Delhi, November 27
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government was looking at the introduction of a more stable pricing system for petrol and other petroleum products.
Dr Singh made this comment in response to questions from presspersons after the swearing-in ceremony of
Mr Shibu Soren at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Prime Minister maintained that the recent hike in the price of petro goods was necessitated by the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market.
“There should be a stable pricing system for petroleum pricing. We will try to evolve a system to deal with the prices once the international prices stabilise, “ Dr Singh said.
At present, petrol and diesel prices are fixed every fortnight based on the average of international prices, resulting in wide fluctuations.
In this connection, he brushed aside comments about the constant criticism of Left Parties and said “this is all part of life.” Similarly, he disagreed that the NCP and RJD have complained about the functioning of the coalition. Dr Singh said he had not received any complaints and nor was he aware of such complaints.
Referring to next week’s winter session of Parliament, Dr Singh was confident that it would proceed smoothly, stating the government would extend the “fullest and maximum cooperation to the Opposition” and will discuss any issue which it wishes to raise.
The Prime Minister disagreed that his letter to Tamil Nadu chief minister J.Jayalalithaa on Shankaracharya’s arrest would influence the judicial process. Dr Singh said he had written the letter in view of the sentiments of the people and the pontiff’s large following.
He said he had only stated in the letter that the seer be treated with extreme
care, which, he added, was endorsed by the Chief Minister.
Dr Singh also endorsed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s observation that Congress president Sonia Gandhi ought to play a more proactive role in helping India and Pakistan resolve their differences. “Definitely yes, ..she is the Congress president and the UPA chairperson,” he added.
The Prime Minister said he had accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan and would go there next year. He, however, refused to be drawn into any discussion on Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s statements, saying “We conveyed our view and they gave
theirs... we have indicated the issues we have agreed upon.”
