Photo Courtesy : ibnlive.in.com
Again a new propaganda!!!! A country piled upto the brim with corrupt and felon ministers, conjures another economic problem aka social problem, affecting common people the most. Absolute power corrupts absolutely; this is yet again displayed by none other than our own Government & Politicians.
To device a new controversy, in order to cover the older ugly scams of “The Ministers” of India, has become a new way by the government to save themselves from the rage of the people “The Common 1’s”. (Coalgate scam)
The latest addition to the collection of bottlenecks, comes with a bash: PRICE HIKE IN DIESEL & LPG
Photo Courtesy : manjul.com
A pure and smart strategy plotted by the Indian government on how to convert a prioritized issue (Coalgate scam) into a secondary one or even to a vanishing one, diverting it towards oblivion and forgetfulness.
Well, for sure it wouldn’t have had struck anyone that a big bang like the above would shock the whole country with its flash, diluting the other important attention seeking topics at hand. An exponential increase in the diesel price by 12% (or 5 rupees) along with a topping of 6 subsidized LPG cylinders per annum is of course a big deal. The biggest part is that these increments in the mentioned fuels will affect only and only the hoi polloi.
Diesel basically is used in industrial and agriculture purposes whereas LPG is used for household purpose. Increase in price of kerosene and cooking gas directly raise the price of meal and light to the citizens resulting in more problems for the society already grappling with price rise and poverty. Hence any increase in diesel price has a very big impact on the poorest section.
Due to the hike in diesel rates, first of all the transportation charges will take a hike, subsequently resulting in cost rise of almost all the commodities including the packaged and the non-packaged products. Secondly it increases the cost of production for farmers as this fuel is used in almost all the agricultural activities. Additionally, public transportation would also grow costlier. The entire process will add to the ever rising inflation within the country, further decreasing the value of Rupee in the International Currency Market, which would in turn boggle the economy of India for sure, resulting into an endless cycle of miseries.
Coming to the next section; 6 subsidized LPG cylinders a year!!!! How is each and every family supposed to spend a whole year with only 6 subsidized cylinders, except for dieting plans? Food is a basic necessity, which would go for a toss by this decision. Only 6 cylinders mean invitation for more nuclear families. A country with true morals and a prosperous culture is being forced to quit its morals merely for a cylinder! Is it justifying? Cooking gas price rise also hampers Government’s plan to promote the use of clean fuels for cooking in rural areas since people would not prefer costly cooking gas to other cheaper domestic alternatives (i.e. woods and uplas).
After all these changes in the diesel and LPG prices how can an Indian citizen sit quietly?
In this era of ever-growing population and technology, demand for every commodity has enhanced simultaneously. From these commodities also some day to day ones place a very important role in the society. These daily based items are of so much importance that any change in them affects human needs adversely.
Government quotes it was a risky act to raise the prices so as to cut down the problem of fiscal deficit. They also mentioned 6 no. per annum will save subsidy on one-third of the total LPG cylinders consumed, while the other two-third will still be supplied at subsidized rate. Also it will prevent misuse of the cylinders to a large extent. It will reduce the under-recovery on LPG by about Rs 5,300 crore for the remaining part of the financial year. Yet, the total under-recovery on LPG during 2012-13 is estimated to be above Rs 32,000 crore.
Well, a falling tree always tries to save its branches. Our government is trying to do the same.
The matter of fact is that every citizen should be well prepared for such adversities, to overcome them. As from this point forth, nothing will reduce but instead grow in the form of a devil. As it is said “Karma karte jao par fal ki iccha na karo”.
For now, the sigh of relief is the news of change in the number of subsidized cylinders from a six to a ten. And the ravishing news is reduction in the prices of cars in compensation to the diesel hike (if it is 😛 ).
—————–
Article By: Shuchi Mehta
