Saturday, April 30 2005 15:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Observing that he had not sent any proposal to the Government on increasing petroleum prices, petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today (Apr 30, 2005) said that any decision would be taken only after consultations with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies.

"I have not sent any proposal. Only the cabinet will decide. Before that, I will meet leaders of our alliance partners, both in the Government and outside, and ascertain their views," he said at the airport in Chennai.

Aiyar, who had on Thursday (Apr 28, 2005) ruled out any increase in the prices in the immediate future, said that he had already held two rounds of talks with left party leaders. "I will meet them again on return to Delhi."

The discussions would be based on duty changes announced in the budget and the surge in global prices, he said.

Aiyar, who is also holding the Panchayat Raj portfolio, said that he was currently on a tour of parts of Karnataka to review the working of the Panchayat institutions in the State and discuss ways to further improve them. Karnataka was a pioneer in implementation of Panchayat reforms.

The Minister said that he would meet Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh in Bangalore tomorrow (May 1, 2005).