
The government on Friday hinted that it is unlikely to allow oil marketing firms to hike prices of petrol and diesel at the next revision due on August 31, despite the surge in crude oil prices.
Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said , ‘‘ when inflation is creeping up to 8 pc, a responsive government has to give priority to holding the price line’’.
Despite the government cutting duties this month to check the impact of rising crude prices on domestic market, global oil prices have gone up further. Despite the government cutting duties this month to check the impact of rising crude prices on domestic market, global oil prices have gone up further. Aiyar stated that India would raise the issue of OPEC countries charging a premium on crude oil it sells to Asian countries at the oil cartel’s ministerial meeting in Vienna next month.


