Date:21/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/21/stories/2005062101441700.htm

Back Bengal flays petro price hike

Our Bureau

Kolkata , June 20

THE Centre's decision to hike the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2.50 and Rs 2 per litre, respectively, was criticised by the West Bengal Government.

Speaking to prespersons at the State headquarters at Writers' Buildings here on Monday, Mr Subhas Chakraborty, West Bengal's Minister for Transport, said the move is anti-people and would have a cascading effect on the prices of essential commodities. He said there is a very little distinction between the present United Progressive Alliance Government and the previous National Democratic Alliance Government when it comes to hiking prices of petroleum products.

Mr Chakraborty called for a transparent policy on the pricing of petroleum products and said the Union Government is generating a substantial amount of revenue by way of various imposts on petroleum products. As such, it would augur well to ponder over the possible impact of such a hike on the common man before implementing the same, Mr Chakraborty said.