Centre taking cover of assembly polls over fuel prices: Maya

Lucknow, Nov 26 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today hit out at the Centre for not cutting the prices of petroleum products by citing 'assembly elections in the states' as the reason.

''The Central government hiked the prices of petrol and diesel immediately with a rise in the crude oil costs, then why was it hesitating to slash now,'' she said.

''It is not correct on part of the central government to take cover under the coming assembly elections and not slash the fuel prices, ignoring the people's good,'' Ms Mayawati said, describing the UPA government at the Centre as 'unfriendly to the people'.

Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh government shot off letters to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, requesting him to bring down the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinder by Rs five per litre, Rs three per litre and Rs 50 respectively. It had done so earlier also, but nothing has been done in this regard, Ms Mayawati said adding that the UP government has therefore reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on the petroleum products, to reduce the burden from the shoulders of the comman man in the state.

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