No hike in Kerosene and LPG prices: Govt.

New Delhi, July 21(ANI): Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora on Tuesday said that the Government has decided not to increase the retail prices of kerosene and domestic LPG, in the interest of the common man, particularly the vulnerable sections of the society.

Replying to a debate on the call attention notice in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Deora said that to protect the consumer from the inflationary impact of rising international oil prices, Government has been modulating the retail prices of sensitive petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene and domestic LPG.

The Minister further informed the house that Government was bearing a burden of Rs. 15.26 on each litre of kerosene and Rs. 92.96 on each cylinder of domestic LPG.

Deora also highlighted that to ensure uninterrupted supply of these two products at subsidized prices, Government's subsidy burden (considering an average crude oil price of 70 dollars per barrel), is projected to be over Rs. 30,000 crore in 2009-10.

The retail price of Kerosene has not been revised since March 2002.

Deora said that Government was monitoring the international oil prices closely and would take appropriate pricing decisions to protect the interest of the common man particularly the vulnerable sections of the society. (ANI)