New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI): Promising further measures to boost economy, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today ruled out going back on reform decisons on diesel, LPG and FDI, asserting that government faces no threat to its stability from differing allies.

Close on the heels of the government taking hard decisions, he said, "the next few weeks" will see more action to boost manufacturing and investor confidence through actions from SEBI and Departments of Revenue and Disinvestment.

During an hour-long interaction with journalists, he also touched on various issues including Vodafone tax issue, GST, Direct Taxes Code and fiscal consolidation.
"Demand is one thing. The opposition who opposes the decision will demand a rollback. But has anyone in the Government given any such impression. As far as I know we are not rolling back any one of those decisions," he said.
He was asked about the demands from allies like TMC and the Opposition for withdrawing the hike in the price of Rs 5.63 per litre in diesel, limiting supply of subsidised LPG to six cylinders per household in a year and allowing foreign direct investment in retail and aviation.

"As far as diesel, kerosene and LPG are concerned, we have done what is doable. I think, clearly the political government knows what is doable and what is not doable. We have done what is doable," he said.

Asked if the government faces any threat to its stability from allies, he said, "I do not think that the government is facing any threat. The government is stable. There are allies both in the government and outside. I am confident that they will continue to support us."

He said there will be debate, discussions and exchange of views, sometimes even hot words. "But I think ultimately we will be able to convince our allies that what we have done is not only necessary but also imperative in order to keep the economy going."

Chidambaram said there were internal and external threats to the economy and once they are pointed to allies they will understand. "I can quote what the Chief Minister of West Bengal (Mamata Banerjee) said 'I understand the gravity of the economic crisis'," he said.