No hike in domestic fuel prices, thanks to UPA Chairperson

The petroleum minister says global crude oil prices have nearly doubled in the last one year but the Govt has not raised domestic fuel prices on a direction from Sonia Gandhi.

Global crude oil prices have nearly doubled in the last one year but the government has not raised domestic fuel prices on a direction from UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

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"I have no hesitation in saying that the UPA Chairperson had directed us to see that petroleum product prices do not increase and we are trying to do that," Deora said.

There has been a marked increase in prices of crude oil to nearly 100 dollars per barrel a day from 40-45 dollars last year but the government has not increased prices even by one rupee, he said.

Petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene are at the same price level as last year, the minister said.

Replying to another query, Deora said punitive action would be taken against companies for not completing the committed work programme for areas awarded to them under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) since 2000.

"We are, however, trying that the companies finish their committed work programme within the given time-frame," he said.

NELP was introduced to lower import dependence for petroleum products, the minister said.