The political repercussions of a hike in fuel prices has prompted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address the nation — the first of its kind in the last four years of UPA regime — on why his government had no choice but to pass on some burden of oil companies to consumers.

•8.30 am: The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs will meet to take a final decision on the nature and quantum of hike in diesel, petrol and LPG

•10.00 am: Prime Minister will address the nation on Doordarshan to tell people why the increase was inevitable and stress the need for fuel conservation. As of now, DD has been told to block time since the PM has to convey some message to the United Nations.

•12 noon: Petroleum and natural gas minister Murli Deora will address a press conference to brief the media about the CCPA decisions taken in morning

• The government is also set to roll out a print campaign in national and regional media informing people that only a fraction of the burden is being passed on to them. The ads will argue that the hike is just Rs 3 for petrol and Re 1 for diesel when in tune with global rates it should have been Rs 21.43 for petrol, Rs 31.58 for diesel.