Brussels/Prague - Ukraine and Russia remained at loggerheads Thursday over the deployment of international experts to monitor gas flows through Ukraine, European Union officials said.

While both sides have agreed that international monitors could play a role in solving the standoff which has crippled gas supplies to Europe, officials said that no final agreement on a mission had been reached during talks in Brussels.

Moscow/Kiev - Russia and Ukraine held talks over a solution to the escalating gas dispute shortly before the beginning of an EU crisis meeting in Brussels, media reports said Thursday.

The heads of Russian state-owned Gazprom, Alexei Miller, and Ukraine's Naftogaz Oleg Dubina met in Moscow, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. He did not give any details about the talks.

Kiev and Moscow are locked in a dispute over gas prices, with Gazprom accusing Ukraine of siphoning off supplies to EU markets since Russia stopped its gas deliveries to its neighbouring country last week.

The UPA Government has announced that it plans to trim down petrol and diesel prices further in the coming 2-3 weeks and also hinted at cutting down cooking gas prices between Rs 20-25 a cylinder.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora did not divulge the time frame and extent of reduction in the fuel prices. "The price cut is under active consideration. In two to three weeks, a decision will be taken," Mr. Deora said.

Officials at state-run oil firms have announced to start nation wide strike from Wednesday. They are demanding high wages and incentives for officials working at various refineries of country. Around 45,000 executives of public sector oil companies would join the strike to convey their resentment against Luke warm attitude of government on wages issue.

Gujarat government has announced a new solar power policy for state to promote solar power generation as an alternative source of energy. The government would extend financial help to set up solar power units in the state and offer solar power generators (SPGs) at subsidized prices.

Alphageo (India) Ltd has secured a contract worth Rs 37 crore from Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited (HOEC) for acquisition of Seismic Data in State of Assam.