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                    India PM Sparks Protests Over Fuel Hike

   by VOA News

   Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has defended economic reforms
   aimed at reducing his country's rising fiscal deficit and attracting
   foreign investment.
   Singh on Saturday supported the government's move to raise diesel fuel
   prices by about 12 percent.
   He approved an increase of nearly one cent per liter at a Cabinet
   meeting Thursday, sparking a backlash from some of his political allies
   and the opposition.
   India's government also agreed Friday to open its retail market to
   large foreign companies.  Opponents say that move will hurt the
   country's small retailers and cost many jobs.
   India's economic growth is slowing and worries about the country's
   credit rating and inflation are rising.
   The government has been under pressure to reduce its deficit by cutting
   spending for subsidies, including fuel.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/india-pm-sparks-protest-over-fuel-hike/1508754.html