JOIN USSpeaking after dedicating the city's gas distribution system, set up by Indraprastha Gas Ltd at Vaishali, he attributed the "maginal" increase in petroleum products due to the price escalation in the international market.
"Thinking of the poor masses, we have put a very meagre load on consumers and the Congress-run Delhi government has reduced the percentage of trade tax imposed on the petroleum products which has further reduced the diesel prices," he said, criticising Uttar Pradesh for not following suit.
"The Uttar Pradesh government in spite of earning extra income of Rs.350 crore due to the marginal hike in petroleum products has refused to lower the trade tax to bring down the prices," he said.
On the merits of the introduction of CNG, the minister said it would increase the health level of the common man and its introduction in rural areas, would stop the deforestation due to villagers commonly cutting trees to use as fuel for cooking.
Three CNG stations are currently operational in Ghaziabad and eight more have been commissioned. By the end of this financial year (March 2011), 22 CNG station would become operational.
About Rs.500 crore has been planned for Ghaziabad project in next five years, out of which Rs. 34 crore have been invested.
The 720 km pipeline to supply gas for domestic and industrial usages will be operational by March 2011. Eight industrial units are currently running on gas and by August 2010, ten more industrial units are expected to be connected, Prasada added.