(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 27 - Roberto Rustichelli, the president of Italy's antitrust authority, said Friday that he does not agree with obliging gas stations to show the average regional prices of the fuel on sale alongside their own prices for petrol and diesel.
    The government is making gas stations show the average prices in a bid to stop speculative hikes in a decree seeking to improve price transparency in the sector.
    Fuel prices in Italy have risen significantly since the government ended a reduction in duties at the turn of the year.
    The nation's gas stations went on strike on Wednesday to protest against the decree, saying they were being unjustly blamed for the high prices.
    "The authority does not consider a mechanism to calculate and show the average prices necessary," Rustichelli told the Lower House's industry committee.
    "The benefits for consumers appear uncertain, in the face of a possible reduction in competitive incentives". (ANSA).