Days before the Budget, the government on Wednesday hiked petrol and diesel prices by Rs four and Rs 2 per litre, respectively, with
effect from midnight tonight.

It, however, decided against decontrol of petrol and diesel prices, while leaving LPG and kerosene prices unchanged.

Provisions would be made in the budget, to be presented on July 6, to cover the loss on account of LPG and kerosene, Petroleum minister Murli Deora said.