The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has deferrred its meeting, scheduled for this evening. No new dates have been notified.
Speculations were running high that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) in its meeting today evening could discuss raising diesel, cooking gas and PDS kerosene prices. Sensing the political sensitvity of the decision there was some uncertainity on whether any decision would be taken today.
Once a decision on the pricing of these three products is taken, the public sector oil marketing companies will also raise the price of petrol, which they currently sell almost Rs 6 a litre below market price.
Petroleum MInister S. Jaipal Reddy told reporters that his Ministry has circulated a note to CCPA. Though there is a CCPA meeting, this item is not listed for discussion as yet, he told reporters after meeting the Finance Minister here today.
The Minister reiterated that however painful or difficult increase in prices may be, but it is unavoidable.
The Minister, however, did not give any numbers for the hike.
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