Govt to consult left before petrol price hike

New Delhi, May 9: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora today said the centre would hold talks with the left party leaders before considering a hike in prices of petroleum products.

Mr Deora said he would be meeting CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri, Left MPS Gurudas Das Gupta and Dipankar Mukherjee tomorrow on the oil scenario against the backdrop of rise in prices of crude oil globally.

Mr Deora who spoke to reporters after meeting Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Diskshit, had assured sufficient gas from Panna-Mukta-Tapti (PMT) Gas Fields for power projects in Delhi.

Mr Deora said prices of cooking gas and kerosene would be out of the purveiw of any price hike as they are used by the poorer sections of the population.

The government will announce later this month prices of petrol and diesel which is expected to be hiked by Rs 3 to Rs 4.

UNI