News from the petroleum ministry had brought some cheer last week. Petroleum minister Jaipal Reddy ha announced that there will be NO FUEL hike for now. State-owned oil marketing companies were all set to increase the price of petrol by Rs 5 a litre with effect from Saturday, while the prices of diesel, cooking gas and kerosene was supposed to have been increased next week. Though petrol was left untouched, the price of Diesel was increased by Rs. 5 per litre. Excise duty on petrol was cut by Rs. 5.50 per litre. Supply of subsidised cooking gas restricted to 6 cylinders per household in a year, consumers would have to pay market price for cylinders beyond 6. For remaining part of current financial year, the number of subsidised LPG cylinder to a consumer will be 3 cylinders.
