Fuel to cost less if global prices fall
The government is studying the impact of fall in global crude prices, but there is no plan to cut prices now.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said on Tuesday that the government was examining the impact of fall in global crude prices, but there was no proposal to cut prices immediately.
However, Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan said if global crude prices fall below $52 a barrel, the government could allow oil marketing companies to reduce prices on petrol and diesel.
International crude oil prices are ruling at around 60 dollars a barrel, compared to a high of $76 in August.
Srinivasan said oil companies were estimated to make a loss Rs 2,700 crore in November on sale of diesel, kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas).
While on petrol, oil firms were making a profit of more than Rs 4 per litre, but on diesel they were incurring a loss of Rs 1.62 per litre.
In kerosene, the companies were losing Rs 14.75 per litre. On LPG, the under-recoveries were to the tune of Rs 102 per cylinder, Srinivasan said.
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