Fuel price hike not on CCPA agenda today: Jaipal Reddy

New Delhi: An increase in diesel, cooking gas and kerosene price is "unavoidable", Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy said on Tuesday but indicated that the hike may not be decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) at its meeting later in the evening.

"There is a meeting of the CCPA (this evening). This item (increase in diesel and cooking fuel) is not listed," he told reporters after meeting Finance Minister P Chidambaram. "I am not sure if the item will be taken up at all today."

Reddy said he had on Monday circulated an updated version of a note detailing the crisis created by rise in crude oil prices and fall in value of rupee against the US dollar to members of the CCPA, which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Jaipal Reddy also said that an increase in diesel, cooking gas and kerosene price is \"unavoidable\".

"I have tried to acquaint the members of CCPA about this matter... As I have said before, painful and difficult decisions on price of oil products will have to be taken. Increase in price is unavoidable," he said.

Reddy added that if the CCPA does not discuss the fuel price issue on Tuesday, it would be taken up at the next meeting of the Cabinet committee which takes decision that have wider political ramifications.

He said a decision on raising prices would have to be taken not just on economic facts but also taking into account the how much the consumers can absorb. "We have to take a balanced view."

"If (price increase) is taken up on Tuesday (by CCPA), which is not very likely, some decisions may be taken... if it is not taken up today, decision will be postponed," he said.

Asked about the quantum of hike in rates that is likely, he said, "I can't say to what extent (the price would be increased). If I had the powers it would have been done yesterday, I don't know if it will be done today or tomorrow".

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