Aiyar hints at petro price hike

Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said a hike in petrol and diesel prices was under consideration as international crude oil prices continued to rise. Referring to the demand by oil companies for a price hike, Aiyar said: ‘‘These issues are before the government. We will see what we have to do.’’ The minister pointed out that since November 2004, the prices of petrol and diesel have not been raised, while the price of LPG has remained the same since August. This was done even though 2004-05 witnessed the highest rise in crude oil prices in recent times. Aiyar also said that the government may set up a regulatory board to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and natural gas to all parts of the country at fair prices. A group of ministers was studying the proposal, he said.

Sushma seeks probe into iaf academy

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj won instant support from her colleagues in the Rajya Sabha when she demanded an investigation and stern action against IAF officers who had allegedly demanded ‘‘sexual favours’’ from three women cadets. Swaraj pointed to a TV channel’s expose on the disqualification of the cadets on the eve of their commissioning at an IAF academy in Hyderabad, as they had refused to comply to their instructor’s demands.

PC assurance on loans for students

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram reiterated his commitment for smooth flow of education loans to students and said a total of 1,40,000 loans were given till last December. ‘‘There is no proposal to increase interest on these loans,’’ he said.