The recent outbursts all over the country on the issue of price rise of fuels of all types has something to say. The clear message is that the present policy,even if it is not wrong,does need some reconsideration.The whole country can not be treated to have gone mad. Even the supporters of the ruling government alliance Miss.Mayavati,the chief minister of U.P has not spared any words to decry. The Bahujan leader has even alleged that congress party is helping the companies who helped it monetarily in the past election and the party in power is now obliging them. Irrespective of the allegations,at least this is very clear that people,politicians and even supporters of the Govt like Miss.Mamta Banerjee are all unhappy due to the decision of the Govt.
However, the big scientific question involved is that India does not have petroleum and has to depend on foreign suppliers who through their guild always try to destabilise the economies of such countries who are not self reliant. India is one such country that due to its ill considered policies suffers time and again on various fronts. The type of technological development for self sustenance needed has been neglected and now its bad effects are showing its impact.
Small countries like Brazil and Argentina etc are controlling their fuel by using alcohol. Why is India lagging behind? This is a big question that needs to be explained. There is none in the Govt who can answer this question. How has the Govt planned to survive with the increasing fleet of automobiles without developing alternatives?Why has the Govt not considered imposing some curbs on the misuse of the petroleum products. Knowing well that India is fuel deficient country and will remain so in the future also,it is imperative to think of some measures that help curb the tendency of its misuse.
Why large fleets of cars and motorcade moves with ministers and govt officials,can it be not regulated? Likewise why cant the govt think of imposing a rationing of the petrol and diesel.
Rationed fuel to a tune of the genuine need of the user be provided at certain fixed price and beyond that amount at a higher price .For example the present rate of Rs.56 a liter of petrol should be fixed for rationed petrol and a motorbike be given 15 litres per month quota.If it consumes more ,the petrol be issued at a rate of 150 rupees per litre. This will work as a deterrent for misuse . Similar formula for cars and trucks can also be applied. Genuine use will help regulate the demand of fuel. Its misuse has to be stopped and the extra money earned by the companies can go to compensate for the "so called losses" of the companies. Otherwise the story is not going to stop but it will repeat. Encouraged by the present hike,the companies will keep on forcing the Govt for further increase and this recurrent problem will keep shattering the economy which is already damaged beyond redemption. It is a separate matter that shamelessly we keep talking about rising GDP and achieving fiscal controls .
It is advisable to consult experts and not GoM on the subject.
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