Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070157960400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Petition seeks direction to oil companies

Special Correspondent

To supply ordinary petrol, diesel

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice on a writ petition seeking a direction to the Centre to consider a representation sent to the Petroleum Secretary and to direct the oil companies in Tamil Nadu to supply ordinary petrol and diesel to the outlets.

The petitioner said ordinary petrol should not be sold in the name of ‘Speed’ and ‘Turbo’ at higher rates. When the matter came up before the First Bench comprising the Chief Justice, A.K. Ganguly and Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla, the court ordered that a copy of the petition be served on the Assistant Solicitor-General, P.Wilson. It later posted the matter for July 4.

In the public interest litigation petition, R.Balasubramanian, a practising advocate of the High Court, said that in the last four years, the Union Government had hiked the prices of petrol and diesel and LPG to exorbitant rates without any valid reason.

The government failed to publish details such as the quantum of petrol, diesel and crude oil required for the country, domestic production, shortage and the quantum imported. This clearly revealed that the government was “playing a hide and seek drama.”

The petitioner said ordinary petrol and diesel were being passed off as expensive branded fuel. He along with 50 High Court advocates sent a representation to the Petroleum Secretary on June 24 to direct the oil companies concerned in Tamil Nadu to supply regular petrol and diesel to the dealers.