Akhir 19, 1432 H/March 24, 2011, SPA -- Austrian drivers will have an easier time finding cheaper petrol under a new proposal that would oblige petrol stations to report prices to an online database, dpa quoted the Economy Ministry as saying Thursday. The bill would force oil companies to transmit data several times a day, a reaction to the recent sharp rise of petrol prices stemming from unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. "Through this new petrol price monitor, we want to increase customers' ability to compare prices and create more competition," Economic Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner said. But the centre-right politician added that the measure would not significantly drive down prices buoyed by global developments. The bill is to be presented to parliament within four weeks. Prices have risen 8.8 per cent for regular unleaded fuel so far this year, below the average rate among European Union countries. Regular unleaded petrol cost up to 1.53 euros per litre in Vienna on Thursday.
