EC seeks details from govt on proposed gas price hike

After Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sought the Election Commission’s intervention in stalling the gas price hike from April 1, the poll panel has sought details from the government on the proposed increase.

The Commission has already discussed the issue and it is seeking more details from the government before issuing an order on the gas price hike.

Sources said the Commission had detailed meeting on the issue on Saturday evening and will hold further debate on the matter in its meeting on Monday.

Earlier, the Commission had said it has taken note of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s complaint that on a proposal by Reliance Industries, the Petroleum Ministry is going to hike gas prices from April 1.

Kejriwal had in a letter to EC termed the gas price hike as violation of the Model Code of Conduct and alleged that the decision was aimed at providing windfall gains to Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries.

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily has made it clear that the government will not go back on its decision to hike rates from April 1.

He has said that the decision to raise gas prices for both public sector and private producers has gone through a governance process.

“It was considered by the Cabinet twice and approved twice,” Moily had said.