New Delhi, Jun 3: Overseas Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi on Friday became the second Union minister after A K Antony to disapprove of the petrol price hike and asked oil minister Jaipal Reddy to take a “closer look” on the issue before deciding on any further increase.
Ravi, in a letter to Reddy, questioned the claims of oil companies that they are incurring huge losses and asked his cabinet colleague to scrutinise the issue in detail.
Defence minister Antony had on Wednesady criticised the hike saying it was “not a correct step” and the oil companies should have shown some “propriety” before taking the decision.
“Apparently, the claim made by oil companies that they are running in loss seems to be untrue. As a matter of fact, the expenditure of oil companies, including salaries, is among the highest in India and there is a perception that funds are being wasted,” Ravi, the overseas Indian affairs minister, said in the letter.
“In this backdrop, I feel a closer scrutiny is needed before deciding on any further increase in oil prices. Instead, a bold look may betaken at reducing the recent hike,” he said.
