The Hindu : National : No immediate hike in petro prices: Deora

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No immediate hike in petro prices: Deora

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: The Union government will monitor crude oil prices for some time to see if the prices stabilise, before deciding on a hike in prices of petroleum products.

“The international crude oil prices have gone up. We are just now watching the situation,” said Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora on Saturday, ruling out an immediate hike in prices.

Mr. Deora and his deputy Jitin Prasad met Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and State government officials to resolve Goa’s issues pertaining to his Ministry.

Mr. Deora said the Congress-led government was aware that the poor suffered more due to price increase and as such “we would try our best to ensure that beneficiaries do not suffer.”

“The Cabinet will discuss the crude oil prices before deciding on the matter, just now we are waiting,” he reiterated.

Gas pipeline to Goa

Mr. Kamat thanked the Minister for agreeing to extend the Dabol-Bangalore gas pipeline, passing through Gokak, to Goa.

This would mean that the pipeline would have to be laid for an additional distance of 400 km at an estimated cost of Rs.1,600 crore. The project is estimated to be completed by the first quarter of 2012.

Mr. Kamat said that the State had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gas Authority of India Limited.

“It is dream materialised for us. This will not only resolve our industrial fuel problem but also ensure gas connections to households,” Mr. Kamat said.

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