Petrol price up by Rs 4,diesel by Rs 2; LPG,Kerosene spared

Days before the general budget,the government hiked petrol and diesel prices on Wednesday by Rs four and Rs 2 per litre,respectively,with effect from midnight.

It,however,decided against decontrol of petrol and diesel prices,while leaving LPG and Kerosene prices unchanged.

Provisions would be made in the budget,to be presented on July 6,to cover the loss on account of LPG and kerosene,Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said.

The decision to increase the price was taken after Deora met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.