PTI 
 
MUMBAI, Jan 10: Petroleum minister Murli Deora on Saturday said the government is considering a further up to Rs 5 per litre reduction in petrol, Rs 3 a litre in diesel and Rs 25 per LPG cylinder prices in the next few days.

"We have talked to Prime Minister, in coming days we are trying to reduce the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG...give us 10-15 days," Deora told reporters in Mumbai.

"According to me the advisable reduction would be Rs 5 per litre for petrol, Rs 3 per litre for diesel and Rs 25 on LPG cylinder," he said when asked about the extent of reduction in prices.

Oil companies have minimized the losses on petrol and diesel, as crude oil prices have lowered to $40 per barrel from its peak of $147 a barrel in July last year.

"From this quarter onwards, we expect the oil marketing companies to start making profits. But, if the crude oil price rises beyond 40 dollar per barrel, then it (profit) will not happen," Deora added.

When asked about a reduction in kerosene prices, he said it is already available at the cheapest rate in India of Rs 9 per litre.

On December 6, the Government had reduced prices of petrol and diesel by Rs five and Rs two per litre, respectively, as global crude prices hovered around four year low.