Parikh committee report implementation reduced subsidy burden: Dharmendra Pradhan

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said that the government implemented Kirit Parikh committee on time which reduced subsidy burden that was a barrier in country's growth.

He also said that the government agreed to Dr. Parikh Report in principle but requested him to devise a complete roadmap factoring in technology disruptions and local factors

"The price of oil reduced in the global market, and we applied the recommendation of Kirit Parikh committee simultaneously," Pradhan added.

Expert Group to advice on Pricing Methodology for Diesel, Domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene under the chairmanship of Dr Kirit Parikh had submitted its report to former Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dr. M. Veerappa Moily in December 2013.

Pradhan was speaking after inaugurating a stakeholder workshop on Petrol and Diesel Price rationalization in New Delhi.

He informed that in the 40 months of Modi government Dr. Kirit Parikh came up with several suggestions for improving the country's energy security and the government implemented them keeping in view the long-term interests of the masses.

"Dr Parikh had further said that LPG and Kerosene should be phased out gradually. We have begun work on that," he added.

On the question of increasing petrol prices, Sharma said the increase in price is implemented so the high price in the international market doesn't fall on the consumer at once. Hence, the high price had to be distributed over an extended time.

The tax on petroleum has also caused an increase in prices, but Pradhan did not deem a change in taxes necessary.

"The price keeps fluctuating in the international market and it has multi-dimensional factors, but a situation has not come yet that we need to keep an eye on taxes," he said.