P Chidambaram rejects Moily’s proposal

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has rejected the Oil Minister Veerappa Moily’s suggestion of keeping petrol pumps open only for 12 hours as a part of austerity measures to cut fuel consumption. Moily proposed that petrol pumps will remain open from 8 am to 8 pm.

“It’s not a government suggestion but one which had come from the public as the Oil Minister has himself clarified. Should the government close itself to the public’s suggestions?” Chidambaram said.

Reportedly Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also not in favour of Moily’s suggestion.

After facing criticism from government and opposition, he said it was not government’s idea but publics’.

A day after government increased petrol price by Rs 2.35 per litre and diesel by 50 paise per litre, Moily is clearly on backfoot.

Explaining his proposal he said, “It is not our idea. It is an idea which is coming from public and others. No decision has been taken to keep petrol pumps dry during any part of the day.”

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