M A I N   N E W S

Panel for Rs 75 hike in LPG price
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 17
The government is likely to find it hard to implement the recommendations of the Rangarajan Committee that has recommended a steep hike of Rs 75 per LPG cylinder, besides Rs 1.21 per litre for petrol and Rs 1.96 a litre of diesel.

Mr Rangarajan submitted the report to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora here today.

Beyond a one-time increase of Rs 75 per cylinder, the Committee has suggested gradually increasing the price till the subsidy is eliminated.

For kerosene, it recommended restricting subsidy element for BPL (below poverty line) families only.

On excise duty, he suggested shifting from the current mix of specific and ad-valorem levies to pure specific levy of Rs 5 per litre on diesel and Rs 14.75 per litre on petrol.

On the Rangarajan Committee recommendations, Mr Deora said “It will be my endeavour that the common man continues to get household fuels like kerosene and LPG at affordable prices.”

Indicating that kerosene and LPG prices may not be raised, he said all political parties, including the Congress and its’ allies were against any hike in cooking fuel prices.

Meanwhile, India, Pakistan Iran-Pakistan-India and Iran have agreed to hold a tripartite meeting on the pipeline next month in Tehran. The decision was taken after the ministerial meeting between Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon.