Common man will be insulated from oil price shocks: Deora

September 11th, 2009 LONDON - Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora has denied reports that India has quit plans to build a gas pipeline with Iran and Pakistan. No, it's not off, Deora told journalists here Thursday.

July 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Tuesday indicated that retail prices of fuel could be reduced if international crude prices fell. "The government is monitoring the international oil prices closely and will take appropriate pricing decisions to protect the interest of the common man, particularly the vulnerable sections of the society, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha.

July 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora on Thursday said that government will roll back the price hike of Rs 4 and Rs 2 a-litre on petrol and diesel respectively, if international crude oil prices stabilise between 50 to 60 dollars a barrel. "Yes, we will cut prices if crude prices stabilise for sometime between 50 and 60 dollars per barrel," Murli Deora said.

July 5th, 2009 CHENNAI - Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora has said the government would consider a downward revision of fuel prices if international crude prices came down. "I have already explained you how we have increased the prices and what made us to increase the prices.

July 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora Thursday refused to roll back the increase in fuel prices but said that a revision will be considered when the international crude oil prices come down. The government Wednesday allowed state-run oil firms to increase prices of transport fuels, resulting in petrol becoming dearer by Rs.4 per litre and diesel by Rs.2 per litre.

June 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government is "seriously concerned" about the rise of crude oil prices in the global market and is looking at various options, including raising fuel prices, to tackle the situation, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said here Monday. "We are seriously concerned about the rise in crude oil prices, he told reporters after meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to discuss his budget wishlist.

June 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - With India's gas production set to double in a few months, the construction of a pipeline network should keep pace to enable its equitable distribution, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting with Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board officials, Deora said both the ministry and the regulator should work together to expedite the construction of trunk pipelines.

May 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government is actively considering deregulation of auto fuel prices and a decision on this will be taken soon by the cabinet, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora said here Friday. He was speaking to reporters after taking charge as the petroleum minister for a second consecutive term.

May 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora on Friday said he would seek Cabinet approval for oil price deregulation in six weeks. "Decision regarding decontrol of prices is to be taken by the Cabinet," Deora told reporters in response to a question.

May 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Congress leader Murli Deora took charge as the union minister for petroleum and natural gas Friday morning and announced a new scheme for distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in villages. When asked about auto fuel deregualtion, Deora told reporters that the matter was under consideration and no time frame had been set.

February 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Despite speculation that the government may reduce the price of diesel before general elections are announced, the union cabinet of ministers did not discuss the issue when it met here Thursday, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said after the meeting. Though diesel is the only petroleum product on which state-run oil marketing companies are earning a good profit, there had been speculation that the government would take the populist measure before the poll date announcement kicked the model code of conduct into place and made such an announcement impossible.

February 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government has no immediate plans to reduce diesel prices even though global oil prices are at record low levels, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said here Wednesday. 'As of now, there is no plan to cut prices.

January 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The cabinet is likely to take up the issue of a fuel price cut Wednesday, just a day after Sonia Gandhi, chairman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance, announced a likely dip at a political rally. The decision also comes with the Election Commission indicating that it plans to complete the general elections by May 18.

January 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Petroleum Minister Murli Deora Wednesday said the government may slash fuel prices further in 'two to three weeks'. The government had earlier lowered the petrol price by Rs.5 and diesel by Rs.2 per litre in the first week of December 2008.

December 28th, 2008 KOCHI - Prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products would go down shortly, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora said here Monday. Speaking at a function to honour Hybee Eden, the newly elected president of the National Students Union, the students wing of the Congress party, at KOchi, Deora said the central government was seriously considering further cut in the prices of petroleum products.