No plan to put 25% more cess on diesel-run SUVs: Deora

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) The government today said it has no plan to impose 25 per cent additional cess on diesel-run sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

''There is no such proposal to put an additional 25 per cent cess on costy diesel-run SUVs,'' Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said here while flagging off the trucks carrying relief materials to the flood-hit areas of Bihar.

The Petroleum Ministry, he said, is considering the proposal of dual pricing for diesel, the largest consumed petroleum fuel in the country, for those who usually buy the fuel in bulk quantities directly from the oil companies. These include industrial consumers, power plants, defence establishments and special economic zones.

''At an appropriate time, the proposal of dual pricing for diesel will be sent to the Cabinet,'' the Minister said.

In the recent months, diesel demand is growing unabated at 22-25 per cent.

Oil companies imported 2.3 million tonnes of diesel in 2007-08 against 0.96 million tonnes in 2006-07.

Currently, the three retailers -- Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum-- are losing Rs 13.69 per litre on diesel sales.

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