Centre to discuss Kirit Parikh panel report

New Delhi, Feb 10 (ANI): The Congress core committee, which includes the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi is expected to discuss recommendations of the Kirit Parikh Panel report, which has suggested freeing up the prices of auto fuels, diesel and petrol from administrative control and called for steep increases in the price of cooking gas and kerosene.

The committee is also expected to discuss ways to reduce the fuel subsidy burden of the Central Government.

Government officials claimed that the petroleum ministry has approved recommendations to reform the fuel pricing system, and wants petrol prices to be deregulated. This would increase petrol prices by Rs 3 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre.

The meeting of the Congress core panel would be followed by a Cabinet meeting to discuss the Kirit Parikh panel recommendations.

Congress party sources have said there is pressure for agreeing to a modest increase in petrol and diesel prices.

However, the Trinamool Congress and the DMK have said a fuel price increase would strengthen inflation and create financial problems for the common man. (ANI)