Tuesday, June 21 2005 10:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Former Petroleum Minister Ram Naik assailed the Government for raising petrol and diesel prices, saying it was a classic example of its "adhocism and directionless administration".

"The announcements of Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar that he will first finalise a new pricing policy for petroleum products before increasing petrol-diesel prices have (been) lost in the air," Naik said in a statement faxed to sources in New Delhi from Mumbai.

"The present price hike is a classic example of adhocism and directionless administration," he said.

He said the rise in international oil prices results in increased revenues for the Government from customs and excise duties.

"We in (the previous) Vajpayee Government had reduced these duties by two percent so that burden on consumers is also reduced. Dr Manmohan Singh must explain to the country as to why this course is not adopted," he demanded.

The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government, he said, had raised cooking gas (LPG) prices twice in the last one year and "yet the petroleum Minister wants us to believe that he has taken care of middle-class by not increasing them now."

"The Left parties have announced that they will lodge nationwide protests against the price increase. Instead of staging this drama of showing green flag in the (UPA) coordination committee meeting and red flag in the midst of the people, they should demonstrate courage of conviction and political honesty by withdrawing the support to UPA Government for their anti-people decision," Naik added.