Date:12/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101261660900.htm

Other States - Punjab

Akali Dal demands cut in fuel prices

Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to announce an immediate cut in diesel, petrol and fertiliser prices in view of the sharp reduction in the prices of crude oil in the international market.

According to a party release here quoting his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal also demanded that the minimum support price for paddy be fixed at Rs.1,000 per quintal as recommended by the Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission and an additional bonus of at least Rs 300 per quintal.

“The prices of crude have registered a 44 per cent fall from the peak of 150 to the present 82 dollars a barrel. Since the Government of India had hiked diesel prices in the domestic market ostensibly because of the rise in the price of crude in the world markets, there is no reason why it should not announce a corresponding reduction in the background of new market realities,” Mr. Badal emphasised. Mr. Badal said the farmers had to bear the brunt of market trends in oil prices. As a result, agriculture had become un-remunerative, putting a massive burden on the peasantry and a severe strain on farm economy in general. He said the farmers of Punjab had made the most remarkable sacrifices for ensuring food security for the country.