"We are pushing for a 10-per-litre increase in diesel prices over next 10 months," said a senior petroleum ministry official.

Cairn Energy Plc has wrote to ONGC to grant its no-objection certificate by September 21 for completing the Cairn-Vedanta deal.

Consumers, who saw a sharp hike in fuel bills recently, may have to wait a while before the government decides to slash prices.