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Title: Regarding increase in prices of certain petroleum products.

15.07 hours The Lok Sabha re-assembled after Lunch at seven minutes past Fifteen of the Clock.

(Shri P.H. Pandiyan in the Chair) STATEMENT BY MINISTER THE MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAM NAIK): Mr. Chairman Sir, hon. Members would be aware of the steep increase in the prices of crude oil that were being witnessed for the last one year. International prices of crude oil which were around Rs.3,210 per tonne in February, 1999 rose to around Rs.7,906 per tonne in March, 2000, an increase of over 146 per cent. Consequently, the oil import bill has also increased and is estimated to go up from Rs.27,000 crore in 1998-99 to around Rs.57,000 crore in 1999-2000.

SHRI RAM NAIK: Mr. Chairman, Sir, on this issue, I would like to say that I have got the statistics of all the price increases of petrol, kerosene and other products right from 1989 to 1999.… (Interruptions)

SHRI RAJESH PILOT : No; this is not the answer.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Let him complete.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI RAM NAIK: Sir, the information given to me is that at no time such a statement was made in the House. All the increases have been made from the midnight when the Budget Session was going on. I have got all the statistics about that. So, from 1989 to this time, no such statement has been made in the House and I am the first person to make a suo motu statement in the House. So far, no Minister has made any suo motu statement also.… (Interruptions)

SHRI SURESH KURUP : Are you following the decision of the United Front?

MR. CHAIRMAN: You are directly involving in a dialogue.

SHRI SURESH KURUP : What is the policy of this Government?

MR. CHAIRMAN: When the Minister is replying, you allow him to reply.

SHRI SURESH KURUP : What is their policy? He is not here to say the policy of the United Front. What is their policy?

SHRI RAM NAIK: Why do you not listen? Kindly sit and listen.

SHRI SURESH KURUP : You are always talking about the policies of the previous Governments.

SHRI MADHAVRAO SCINDIA (GUNA): In the interim period, you must come with a suo motu statement. At least that is the least that you can do.

SHRI RAM NAIK: That is what you have never done.

SHRI MADHAVRAO SCINDIA :You have backed out from Parliament. You have bypassed the Parliament. You are frightened of Parliament. You are worried about facing the Parliament. That is why, you waited for the recess period.

SHRI RAM NAIK: That is what you have been doing.… (Interruptions)

SHRI MADHAVRAO SCINDIA : We have always brought it. We never avoided facing the floor of the House.