CPI(M) demands slash in petroleum prices

Lucknow, Sep 17 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today demanded immediate reduction in the prices of petroleum following a fall in crude oil prices in the International market.

''There is no reason seen for the Centre to delay in slashing the prices after decrease of at least 30 per cent in the price of the crude oil,'' said CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat here.

Mr Karat claimed that the reduction of the petroleum products prices would also help the country to control the inflation, besides, the people would get a respite from the clutches of price hike of essential commodities.

He said the government should immediately reduce the prices of petrol/diesel and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) after the international crude price crushed down to 90 dollars from 120 dollars.

The prices of petrol and diesel were raised by Rs 4 and Rs 2 per litre respectively in July after the petroleum companies made a hue and cry over their losses due to the shoot in the price of crude oil in the International market.

Mr Karat had arrived in the city this morning to chair the two-day meeting of the State Secretariate that started today.

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