No immediate hike in diesel, kerosene, LPG: Jaipal Reddy

New Delhi, May 28 (ANI): There will not be an immediate hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said here on Monday.

Reddy's remarks do not, however, rule out a hike, as there were unconfirmed media reports that a group of ministers could consider such a move on June 01 or 02.

"I am not going to touch the price of LPG, kerosene, diesel," Reddy said.

Reddy added that his ministry had recommended raising the factory gate tax on diesel-driven vehicles to curb growing consumption of the fuel, which is currently sold at substantially cheaper prices than petrol.

"I wrote about that to the Finance Ministry. It is under consideration," he said.

State-owned petrol retailers announced a whopping Rs.7.50 hike in prices last week, after a six-month freeze on raises, sparking nationwide criticism and protests. (ANI)