Chennai, Jun 30 (IANS): The central government could have avoided a hike in fuel prices by taking steps to bring back the black money stashed overseas, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said Saturday.

Slamming the frequent hikes in prices of petrol and diesel, Jayalalithaa, in a statement issued here, said: "The centre could have avoided hike in fuel prices taking steps to bring back the black money stashed overseas, if it is incapable of controlling the fall of rupee against the US dollar."

She said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was not only keeping silent on bringing back the black money from overseas but also showed concern towards those who have unaccounted money and supported them.

Jayalalithaa said the hike of Rs.1.82 a litre on petrol, effective from Saturday, was the height of deceit.

Burdening the people with the effect of fall in rupee without taking effective steps cannot be justified, she said.

"Hiking petrol prices for a third time in a month shows that the centre does not respect the feelings of the people," Jayalalithaa said.