Petrol price hike was unavoidable, says Lalu

New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) Virtually justifying the increase in petrol and diesel prices, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today said the upward revision was unavoidable as the international prices were going up.

''The government has no free hand in determination of petroleum prices. It is the western powers who play a decisive role in this process. International prices have been going up and India had to follow suit,'' Mr Prasad said here.

He said the increased prices of diesel will hit Railway revenues, although he did not categorically said there will be any increase in freights. Many new freight schemes will be introduced and from next month more concession will be given to empty wagons in the return direction, he said.

Petroleum products were a precious commodity and all efforts should be made to conserve them, Mr Prasad said.

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