Subsidy on kerosene, LPG will not be withdrawn: Deora

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora today said the subsidy on cooking gas and kerosene will stay even after the earlier announced March 31, 2007 deadline.

''As per strict instructions of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the subsidies on kerosene and cooking gas will not be withdrawn. The UPA Chief has asked the petroleum ministry to supply the fuels at the same price,'' Mr Deora told reporters here.

However, the government is not keen on increasing the subsidy and cutting the prices of the two fuels.

The minister is scheduled to meet Finance Minister P Chidambaram to discuss the matters, in a day or two.

UNI