There is no doubt that the fluctuations in the crude prices are bound to affect the prices of petroleum products in the country, yet there is a need to understand the inadequacy of the policy of the Govt of India. In fact the inefficient operation is affecting recoveries of the Indian Petroleum refineries. It is far below the expected limits and adoption of redundant technologies and running the system without updating is the main reason. No status report or evaluation of the refineries is possible due to the protection they are getting from the Govt.The problem can be tackled by calling upon the experts related to energy saving and acknowledged chemists who can do real chemistry to control the emissions and modifications of the system to bring in a change in the production level. In fact there is no effort on this side done by the ministry is ever heard. It appears that the whole ministry and institutes of the Govt. are in a state of seize by the people who have no concern for the country. This situation is reflective of the weak ministerial control because in such matters it is easy to divert the attention or create a very foggy picture to confuse a nonunderstanding type of minister ( since our ministers are afraid of mind boggling statistics and data displayed by tricky bureaucrats and dishonest technocrats . They take the benefit of this confusion and stop the ministerial interference and always impose their views .This situation can be handled only by scientist administrators who have the abilities to expose the data jugglery. The author has tackled many such situations and knows well the tyranny of BABUDOM playing such truants.
There is no dearth of competent people in the country. The problem of competent persons is their inability to indulge in self praise, seek favors and muster resources to come closer to the people who matter (instead of pursuing academic activities) and enter the system from where they can protect and prevent the ruin of the system. It is a big question that must be asked from the oil producing companies, how are they justified in comparing their profits with the overseas producers operating with higher efficiencies and frugal habits, which Indian companies abhor? Why should the profits be compared with overseas producers when the technology is not upgraded and the personnel is incompetent at this end? Some concerted efforts need to be made to answer this . The answer probably holds the key to check the price rise and consequent embarrassment to the Govt.
If the level of efficiency is raised the losses could be controlled and otherwise the refineries be asked to close down and resort to direct import of processed oil in place of crude. Other organisations can also be permitted to bring in a healthy competition. This will generate an atmosphere ending in the price stabilization. The reality is well known to the people . It is only the wested interest of some higher-ups which is creating a big blockade in the reform ,but is not in the interest of the public. As regards the people, they have to suffer for their ignorance and gullibility, empowering the politicians beyond a limit which detrimental to the interest of the nation, as is the present situation. The fallout of unfettered powers to the politicians is reflected in several no restrictions for gas guzzling cars and voluminous cars on narrow Indian roads. The people are never choosy about the engine quality, fuel efficiency and robustness of the body. Instead they are wooed more by the outer cosmetic modifications like design of the head lights, interior coolers ,bumper colours and automatic door and windows which are a problem adding the long term and a sort of hazard from the maintenance view point. This is a result of incapacitated vision of the Indian buyer who is completely ignorant about the developing technologies and fallouts of the inefficient system. The craze of foreign made is having its kill and is praying upon the ignorance of the Indian masses.
As regards the impact of sanctions and inability to transfer money for the Iranian oil purchase, it is easily possible to tackle through simple barter system of trade . Its modalities could be worked out with the Iranian Govt before it is too long.
