Summary:
Kochi, Mar 22 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Tuesday declined to stay the state-owned oil companies" (OMCs) decision to hike price of bulk diesel purchases or restrict them from further increasing the rates, but asked them to explain the manner in which their pricing mechanism worked.
The order of the high court came on a plea by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) challenging the OMCs decision to charge a higher rate from bulk purchasers of diesel as compared to retail prices of the fuel.
While asking Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd to file a statement explaining their pricing mechanism, Justice N Nagaresh said that the OMCs should have given differential treatment to public service utilities like KSRTC.
"You should give some differential treatment to public service utilities.
You know how KSRTC is functioning," the court said.
Alleging "hostile discrimination" against KSRTC by the OMCs, advocate Deepu Thankan -- representing the state transport corporation -- urged the high court to either stay the price hike or to restrict any further increase in the rate for bulk purchasers.