Thursday, March 31 2005 22:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today (March 31, 2005) ruled out any revision in petrol and diesel prices until the Cabinet discusses the issue.

"There will be no change of any kind in petrol and diesel prices unless the Cabinet has deliberated (on it)," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Soaring global crude oil prices and duty changes announced in the budget warrant a Rs 3.94 a litre increase in petrol and Rs 3.59 per litre hike in diesel prices. Besides, the implementation of the clean fuel programme from April 1 is likely to push up the cost of petrol by an additional Rs 0.30 a litre and diesel by Rs 0.24 per litre.

The Cabinet is likely to meet sometime next week to discuss the issue of raising petrol and diesel prices in line with rise in cost of raw material (crude oil), increased incidence of duties and the additional cost of supplying cleaner fuel.

"Till cabinet meets, none of the hikes will take place," Aiyar added.