GUWAHATI, March 11 � The State government today said that there is no direct correlation between rise in public transportation cost and increase in commodity rates on the one hand and the international crude oil prices and transportation costs on the other.
Replying to a call attention by AGP MLA PK Mahanta, Transport Minister Ajit Singh said fluctuation in prices of petroleum products is not reflected in the transportation costs.
�Therefore, despite the reduction in crude oil prices in the international market, transportation costs are being calculated at a reasonable rate,� Singh said.
Earlier, Mahanta drew attention to the fact that global crude prices have plunged quite significantly in recent months but there has been no commensurate decline in transportation cost or in prices of essential commodities and foodstuff.
He said that earlier when global petroleum prices increased there used to be similar rise in prices of commodities and in cost of transportation.
�But, a similar decline in now not seen despite fall in crude oil prices,� said the AGP leader.
Congress MLA Durlabh Chamua said that even as international oil prices have come down in recent months, the Union government has hiked the excise duty and so the consumer continues to be burdened by high retail prices of petrol and diesel.
He called upon the Assam Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution calling upon the Centre to reduce the excise duty.
He was supported by Ardhendu Kumar Dey of Congress and other MLAs.
When AGP MLA Phani Bhushan Choudhury called upon Singh to bring such a resolution, the Minister replied, �We will discuss the matter.�