Diesel price hiked 45p per litre, petrol cheaper by 25p

The government on Thursday cleared "small" increases in the price of diesel in the coming days, while seeking to sweeten the pill by raising the cap on subsidised cooking gas cylinders from six to nine per household.

Late Thursday evening, Indian Oil Corporation announced an increase of 45 paise per litre in the price of diesel, effective midnight. IOCL also cut the price of petrol by 25 paise per litre. Both price changes were excluding VAT, and effectively translate into an increase of 50 paise and a decrease of 30 paise for the two auto fuels respectively at pumps in Delhi. Prices at pumps in other cities will vary according to prevalent taxes.

Bulk consumers such as state transport corporations and the Railways will no longer be eligible for subsidy, and will pay "non-subsidized market determined" prices. IOCL said diesel for bulk consumers will be dearer by Rs 9.25 per litre, excluding VAT, from Thursday midnight.

"As a result..., under recoveries on diesel both bulk and retail shall decrease by approximately Rs 3,400 crore till March 2013," the IOCL statement said.

The cabinet committee on political affairs (CCPA) considered political repercussions and the impact on the aam aadmi before deciding to stagger the increase in the price of diesel over several small doses.

The CCPA meeting considered the report of the Vijay Kelkar committee that had recommended wiping out the entire Rs 9.60 per litre subsidy on diesel through increases of Re 1 per litre every month. While agreeing that an increase was unavoidable, the meeting concluded that an attempt should be made to soften the blow.

The price of diesel was last revised in September 2012, when it was raised by a steep Rs 5.63 per litre. "We have given some liberty to oil marketing companies to raise diesel prices in small doses. They are authorised to make small price corrections from time to time," Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily said after the cabinet meeting.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Raghuram Rajan not in favour of sovereign bond to finance CAD

Hospitality sector attracts $3.2 bn FDI in Apr-Feb FY13

India for enhancing financial resources of ADB

Govt taking steps to spur investment: Prime Minister