NEW DELHI: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora has written to Chief Ministers of all States to rationalise the tax structure on petrol and diesel and do away with the ad valorem component of excise duty to protect the interests of consumers.

Mr. Deora pointed out the high tax on petroleum products, particularly petrol and diesel.

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has chalked out an ambitious plan to bring 200 cities under the supply network for compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG) by 2015.

As India continues its struggle to find alternative energy sources to cope with the growing energy demand, it is looking aggressively at cbm (coal bed methane) gas as a source of clean, thermal energy, that is known for its easy inflammability. India currently consumes 140,000 mw of electricity per year, about 55 per cent of which is thermal-based and derived from coal.

At least four more blocks in Assam-Arakan basin including two each in Assam and Manipur have been thrown open for bidding under the NELP- VIII. At least one block of Coal Bed Methane

To decide on the allocation of natural gas from RIL

WITH the Election Commission

RETAIL prices of diesel may go down further by Rs 2 soon as the government looks to hike its goodwill quotient among voters before the code of conduct kicks in for the general elections slated for April-May.

A cut in diesel prices could bring down prices of essential commodities such as rice, edible oil, fruits, vegetables, eggs and milk, auguring well for voters and the economy.