(a) the details of increase in prices of petroleum, diesel, Kerosene and LPG during the last one year;
(b) whether the intention to increase the prices was announced quite a few days before the actual increase;
(c) whether the Government are aware that this practice led to hoarding of the petroleum products for that period by the retailers; and
(d) if so, the system followed to increase these prices and the steps taken, if any, to protect the interest of consumers?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a): The details of increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, PDS Kerosene and domestic LPG during the last one year are given at Annexure.
(b) to (d): With the dismantling of the Administered Pricing Mechanism, the public sector oil companies are fixing the prices of petrol and diesel after taking into account the prevalent international oil prices. On the eve of such price revisions, the public sector oil companies publicize through media, the revision in prices, for the awareness of the consumers.
ANNEXURE
Statement showing major revisions in Retail selling Price at Delhi Post 1.4.2002.
(Rs./Litre/Rs./Cyl.)
MS DOMESTIC LPG HSD SKO (PDS) As on: 01.04.2002 26.54 240.45 16.59 8.92
WEF: 04.06.2002 28.94 17.99
16.06.2002 29.18 18.23
16.08.2002 29.00 18.05
01.09.2002 29.20 18.34
16.09.2002 29.66 18.68
01.10.2002 29.91 18.91
17.10.2002 30.24 19.23
1.11.2002+ 30.26 241.20 19.25
16.11.2002 29.57 18.57
1.12.2002 28.91 18.06
3.01.2003 29.93 19.07
16.01.2003 30.33 19.47
1.02.2003 30.71 19.84