CHANDIGARH: Inspite of the falling crude oil prices in the world market, the Government of India has increased the basic price of petrol, HSD diesel, Kerosine, aviation mobile oil and cooking gas. The increase of petrol price will be 500 rupees per kilo litre, on diesel 180 rupees per kilos liter, kerosine 225 rupees per kiloliter, aviation mobile (only for domestic airlines) 500 rupees per kiloliter and cooking gas 700 rupees per ton. These increases are exclusive of the increase due to sale tax and heavy levies wherever applicable. Because of this increase, the retail price of petrol in Delhi went up by 54 paise per liter. Diesel from 3.39 to 3.58 per litre; Kerosine from 2.11 to 2.34 per litre and cooking gas in a cylinder of 14.2 kiloliter from Rs5136 to Rs61.79. Increase in the prices of petroleum products comes in the ‘wake of increase in prices of gold, wheat, rice and fertilizers and is ‘expected to hit the consumer very hard. The last general increase in the prices of petroleum products was made on March 17 of last year. The prices of oil products have risen by 15% except that of diesel, Food prices went up by ‘only 8%. The price of Kerosine and diesel was reduced by seven paise per litre on March 26, 1985.
The Government said that decision was taken because of the rapid growth of the consumption of energy particularly of crude oil and gas and the growing shortage of oil and gas energy. In a long term frame work, the relative growth pattern of various commercial as to be in conformity with the resources of the entire country. Earlier, prices of all the fertilizers were increased by the Government India, The retail price of Urea has been increased by Rs.200 a ton and that of
Meanwhile the Janta Party proposed to convene the meeting of all opposition parties and action ‘groups on February 14th to draw a strategy for a common struggle against addition of the increase in the prices of petroleum products. ‘This was decided at the meeting of the National Executive at which several members suggested for a nationwide one day strike in protest against Government economic policies. Final decision about the strike was, however, left to the proposed all parties meeting. The party General Secretary, George Fernandes said that he will invite all non-Congress I Parties including the Bhartiya Janta Party and ‘Communists and regional groups like Telugu Desum, Assam Gan Parishad for the February 14th meeting, In a resolution the party called upon its workers to expose the hollow claim of Rajiv Gandhi Government and assure his people of their absolute commitment to cause .
Article extracted from this publication >> February 7, 1986
