The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Karunanidhi writes to Manmohan, Sonia

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Sunday, Dec 07, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi writes to Manmohan, Sonia

Special Correspondent

Suggests reduction in the price of domestic LPG cylinders

Jayalalithaa

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday suggested to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi that prices of domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders should be restored to the rates prevailing prior to the hike in June.

[Six months ago, the Centre increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by Rs. 50.]

In identical letters to Dr. Singh, Ms. Gandhi and Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, the Chief Minister commended the Centre for lowering the prices of petrol and diesel.

Referring to the State government’s scheme of distributing free gas stoves along with LPG connections to poor families, he said women expected reduction in price of domestic LPG cylinders, too.

Since the launch of the State government’s scheme, 10.52 lakh families had been benefited.

This year, it was planned to cover eight lakh families with an allocation of Rs.160 crore, the Chief Minister said.

“An eyewash”

AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa on Saturday termed the Centre’s announcement on the reduction of petrol and diesel prices as an eye wash.

People disappointed

In a statement, she said the announcement disappointed the people.

Since the price of a barrel of crude oil in the international market had plummeted to $43, the government should have further reduced fuel prices. It failed to reduce the price of cooking gas cylinders.

The Centre should fix the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas cylinders at the rates prevalent in 2004, when the Congress came to power, she demanded.

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