Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan has asked the Central government to clarify the circumstances that necessitated the latest dosage of hike in the prices of petroleum products.
In a statement here on Tuesday, Mr. Achuthanandan pointed out that the oil companies have raised the price of petrol by Rs.5.26 and diesel by Rs.2.88 a litre over one month. The price of petroleum products was on the rise in India despite a sharp fall in international crude prices. State BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan owed an explanation on the issue. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy should also clarify what he proposed to do in the face of such a sharp increase in prices of petroleum products, the Opposition leader said.