Friday, February 10 2006 10:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With a Government-appointed panel almost set to submit its recommendations on fuel pricing, the main Opposition BJP yesterday (Feb 9,2006) warned the Centre against increasing petrol prices further as it sought a discussion in Parliament on the panel report.

The C Rangarajan committee, appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is understood to have recommended a mix of a marginal increase in fuel prices and duty cuts in its final report likely to be submitted on February 14.

"A whopping increase of 35 per cent in oil prices has hit the common man and the industry alike over the past 20 months, the largest increase in the shortest period of time," BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

The BJP leader, who blamed the fuel price rises on a variety of taxes, also demanded the government adopt oil duty neutralisation to check price build-ups.

"The government blames the situation on the increase of prices in the international oil market, but the fact is that duties like customs, excise, infrastructure and education cess, and sales tax make up 65 per cent of oil prices in India," he said .

The Rangarajan committee, according to sources, is likely to recommend increasing petrol price by Rs 1.27 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.18 a litre.

"The BJP demands a detailed discussion on the Rangarajan committee report in Parliament before any decision on petro prices. Besides, the Finance Minister should announce duty neutralisation in the coming budget," Javadekar said.

The BJP leader also criticised the Centre for short supply of kitchen gas and kerosene across the country.