Govt consults Left on oil prices

The government has started consultations with its Left allies on the prices of petroleum and petroleum products in view of the steep hike in international prices.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, who met CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta today, will hold another round of consultations with all Left parties tomorrow evening.

Dasgupta opposed any petro price hike and reiterated the Left stand that instead of burdening the common man, the government should think of deduction in the duties levied on petroleum products.

"The government earns around Rs 86,000 crore from taxes on petroleum products. Our stance is that the government should absorb the increase in international prices," Dasgupta said.

Deora said, "We could not talk to the Left parties as they were busy in state elections. Now we will discuss... It will be our endeavour not to hike prices, particularly of cooking gas and kerosene."