Date:03/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/03/stories/2009010355340600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Reduce petrol, diesel price immediately: Chamber

MADURAI: The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded an immediate reduction in petrol and diesel prices to avert a nationwide truckers’ strike.

In a press release, Chamber president S. Jeyabalan said that the Union government was facing demands from many quarters to cut further petrol and diesel prices as crude oil price in the international markets had plummeted of late.

While there was an assurance that price would be reduced, there was an inordinate delay on part of the Centre.

The public have been several affected owing to this delay. Denouncing this “dilatory tactic” of the government to ensure profitability of oil marketing companies at the cost of the public welfare, he urged the Centre to reduce prices immediately.

A timely reduction would provide some relief to the public, who are already hit hard by rising prices and credit crunch.

The nationwide lorry owners strike, announced from January 5, would create a severe scarcity of essential products and cause rise in their prices.