PETROLEUM PRICE HIKE JUSTIFIED-MURLI DEORA.

The petroleum Minister Mr.Murli Deora said that the Government of India has to
subsidise to an extent of Rs.15/- per litre and the government is bearing the loss while keeping the burden on consumer to the minimum. He says "our kerosene price is the cheapest in the world and in the case of LPG government is bearing the loss".He further said that he has written to all the Chief Ministers to bring down state tax to provide relief to consumers.

To ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to Bengaluru and to meet the growing demands of the city a 290 kilometre Chennai-Bangalore pipe line was launched yesterday which will help decongest roads and reduce pollution. GAIL's Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline will in commercial operation by 2012.The demand for petrol & Diesel in the state is growing at a rate of 10% and 15% respectively which has prompted the the oil marketing companies to invest Rs.1500 crores to strengthen their network in the state.