Deregulation in diesel prices unlikely in near future, but petrol prices may be hiked

24 Mar 2012 Evaluate

It is unlikely that diesel prices may be deregulated in the near future but petrol prices may be hiked. As per Oil Minister, S Jaipal Reddy, petrol prices have seen a recent discontinuation of deregulation and need to be relooked into, however prices of diesel will require more forethought and consultations as it involves more than just numbers.

Even though petrol prices have been deregulated, any hike in them is made by the oil companies after consulting the government. Given the recent assembly elections, the UPA government had not allowed the oil companies to hike petrol prices in tandem with its international prices. This led to the companies suffering losses to the tune of Rs 4,500-crore.

Recently, Indian Oil has been pressing the government to fully compensate it for the losses or it will have no option to pass on this burden to the consumers. If this happens, the still fragile inflation numbers could witness a further upswing. At present, the government compensates oil firms for losses only on diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene.

The government’s rising fiscal deficit is making it difficult for it to sustain fuel subsidies. Moreover it is eroding the government’s credibility in the national as well as international markets. The recent budget has made the government’s commitment clear on the food security bill and the food minister has stated that it could be implemented by the end of the calendar year. Given this huge rise in its expenditure, the government will find it difficult to sustain its subsidy bill unless it cuts down somewhere else.

A hike in diesel price is receiving considerable push from economic quarters, followed by support for deregulating LPG. However given the UPAs difficult allies, it may not be an easy task. This fact has only been strengthened by the recent roll back in the hike of rail fares.

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