ENVIRONMENT Minister Jairam Ramesh renewed his attack on the use of diesel of luxury cars and shrugged off protests by some manufacturers of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV), saying the government controls the price of the fuel only to help farmers, not the rich.

The government earns tax revenue from diesel sales, but does not allow its retail price to rise to the prevailing international leve

The Central Government has sanctioned Rs.

GUWAHATI, Oct 14

Sept. 17: The Centre today announced a diesel subsidy of up to Rs 500 per hectare to farmers in drought-hit Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand to help them irrigate their fields.

FARMERS in drought-hit districts will get diesel subsidy of 500 per hectare, even as the Centre awaits bumper crop production for most key kharif crops including paddy, cotton, pulses, and sugarcane.

A good monsoon and prospects of a good kharif and rabi should have a sobering effect on food prices, still in excess of 15%.

KOLKATA, 18, Aug: The private bus and taxi owners will inform the state government about their decision regarding the transport strike shortly.

The state transport minister Mr Ranjit Kundu today met leaders of taxi and bus owners to discuss the matter.