Congress opposes hike in oil prices

NEW DELHI: Not withstanding the sharp rise in international crude oil prices, Congress on Friday opposed any hike in the prices of petrol and diesel in the country.
    
"Our stand is clear. We do not want any burden on the common man," Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said here.
    
He said the government should sustain the impact of the increasing oil prices internationally and spare the common man of any burden.
    
However, Ahmed said Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora would take appropriate decision in accordance with the fluctuations in the international oil prices.
    
The state-run firms are currently incurring Rs 240 crore loss per day on sale of petrol, diesel, LPG (cooking gas) and PDS kerosene.
    
The price of crude oil rocketed to a record 96.24 dollars per barrel in international markets before sliding to 93.57 dollars.