Tripura Assembly passes resolution against fuel price

Agartala, Nov 22 (UNI) Tripura Assembly has passed two private member resolutions to reduce the price of petroleum products and extend railway lines up to Sabroom, the southern tip of the state.

Speaking on the issue yesterday, Finance Minister Badal Choudhury alleged that the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had been favouring five major crude oil and petroleum importing companies in India, ignoring the interest of the common people.

He said crude oil price was reduced to 64 US dollar per barrel in the international market but the UPA government failed to take any steps to reduce the fuel price in domestic market, which led to a hike in the prices of essential commodities as well.

''In fact, the Congress would get its election fund from the oil companies, that is why they are allowing them to earn money,'' Mr Choudhury alleged.

He, however, underlined that the refining cost of per litre for petrol or diesel in the country was three rupees only, while the companies were making profit of Rs 11 from per litre.

On the other hand, CPI(M) MLA Rita Kar moved a motion related to rail gauge conversion and extension of railway service in the state.

Meanwhile, ruling party MLAs also expressed their anger over the poor services on the stations and trains and demanded to run a pair of local train between Agartala and Dharmanagar.

The House passed the resolutions that would send the demand of the upgradation of train service in the state besides conversion of railway track to broad gauge by next three years, and extension of railway lines up to Sabroom, which would help South-East Asia to boost business using the Chittagong port, only 70 km from Sabroom.

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