Elections over, government says no proposal to hike fuel prices

NEW DELHI: The govt on Monday said there was no increase in the retail prices of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG, amid speculation that rates might go up after the results of the assembly elections in four states and a Union Territory were announced.Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the ministry of petroleum, said there was no proposal before the govt to support oil marketing companies incurring losses due to under-recoveries while keeping the retail prices of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG frozen.Replying to a query during a press briefing on West Asia developments, Sharma said the govt was trying to protect retail consumers despite high volatility in global crude prices. She said there was no increase in the retail prices of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG, even though supplies were disrupted due to the war in West Asia, and only the rates of bulk or industrial diesel and commercial LPG - used by hotels and restaurants - had been increased. TNN