Readers' view: 'Govt attacked us with petro hike'

The decontrolling of fuel prices which has led to a big hike in petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene prices has multiplied the woes of the common man. While the industry has hailed the move, millions of people are criticising the government's decision and the timing of the hike with inflation already at a record high.

Is the government right when it says it cannot go on subsidising fuel prices? Why a hike when there has been no change in the international crude prices? Is this an attack on the common man? These are questions people are raising. At a time when inflation is at the peak, this petrol hike has agitated people across the country.

'We live in a country where Sim card is free and dal is sold at Rs 120;
Where politicians make a mockery of justice and people vote them to power;
Where law makers are all rogues and thieves;
Where it takes more than a LIFE to get justice;
Where it's a crime to be poor;
Where corporates have money to buy an IPL team but no money for the poor;
Where netas are garlanded with currency, and common man dies in a stampede where food is distributed.'
-- Atul (a reader's message).

Click NEXT to read how people are reacting to the petro price hike. . .

Gopal Shetty,
MLA, Bharatiya Janata Party

The government has made the lives of common people miserable. We strongly condemn this hike at a time when the prices of all the commodities are at a peak. Instead of controlling the prices, the government has increased the burden on the common people.

It is the duty of the government to manage finances and help the people. The government should not act like a dealer. "Congress ke haath aam aadmi ke saath nahin, tail mafia ke saath hai," he says. The BJP is planning to hold demonstrations against this blatant act of the government. It is time for the voters to decide who should govern them.

. . .

Mathew John
Retd, Bank Manager

This is a an attack on us, the common man. As it is, the prices vegetables, pulses to almost everything are at record levels. Living a decent life has become impossible. As it is, I have lot of medical expenses, this will further hit my savings. 

This will also lead to a chain of price rises again starting from transport cost. Despite the hike, people will not cut down on the petrol usage.

The worst part is the hike on LPG cylinders and kerosene. If we are struggling so much, how will the poor people in this country survive? The government no longer seems to care. The timing of the hike is wrong. At a time when you are struggling to make ends meet, this is a very irrational move.

. . .

Adyan Prabhakaran
Mars International India

It is unfortunate that the petrol price hike has been announced when the inflation is at a peak. However, deregulating prices was the need of the hour. How long will the government go on subsidising oil prices?

It is after all taxpayers' money. It is high time we switched over to alternate sources of fuel. The government should take steps to increase the use of alternate sources of fuel. In Mumbai, the taxis and autos have already switched to CNG.

The petrol prices are aligned with the global prices. So we must cut down usage and think of ways to minimize the use of a non-renewable resource like petrol. The hike in LPG cylinder prices and kerosense is a bad move, it will pinch everyone as there are no alternatives to these.

Bonny Thomas
Artist-writer

The fuel price hike is unbelievable. I think there is a hidden agenda in this as there has been no hike in the international crude prices. Since the central government does not have to face an election anytime now, the government is taking it easy.

They feel that by the time of the next state elections, people will forget this. The fuel prices were hiked in February. I do not understand the reason for this shocking move at a time when food inflation is at 17 per cent. The price hike on LPG gas is a gimmick.

They know they will be forced to roll back so they have kept it at a high rate. Taxi fares have already gone up. Soon other transportation costs will rise. Consumer states like Kerala will be the worst hit.

. . .

Bharath D Brahmakal
Engineer

The petrol price hike will surely affect me. I may have to cut down the car usage since I travel 45 kilometres to and from my office. I spend about Rs 5,000 on fuel. But I do not blame the government.

It should be accepted that government cannot keep on regulating the oil prices. It also affects the foreign reserves.

This will surely affect prices of everything, but how much can the government do to help the common man. Fuel prices are not in the hands of the government.

. . .

Pradeep P
IT professional

This is shocking, to say the least. When the prices of commodities already high, we have been saddled with a fuel price hike. We are still recovering from the recession. Our salaries have not gone up considering the number of petrol and other price hikes.

As it is high inflation and steep hike in food and vegetables prices has put the common in lot of misery. The petrol hike has come at wrong time and it will add to inflation and the prices of all essential commodities will increase as transportation cost will go up. A Rs 35 hike for gas cylinder is just too high. I hope there is a rollback in this price rise.

. . .

Shanti
Domestic worker

Every year I think, things will improve and I will be able to lead a better life. Now I feel my miseries will never be over. I work in 5 houses and make about Rs 3,000. What will I get for this money?

Everything is so expensive. Two of my children are studying. I want them to get a good life and not suffer like me. I have spent 15 years in Mumbai.

When I left my village, I thought I would make good money as in the village the wages were very low. The government should think about us also. The rich can afford to use everything despite the price hike. How can they hike the price of kerosene which all of us use on a daily basis?

Where do we stand? Do we have a future?

. . .

A L Quadros
President, Mumbai Taximen's Union

The petrol price hike will not affect us as all the taxis are run on CNG. However, this will push the cost of living and add to the woes of the common man.

Click NEXT to see the best responses on the rediff message board...

Looting the common man?

Hari Kumar
The government is justifying the price hike by stating that it is cutting down on subsidies which is big drag on the economy. A few people are aware of the fact 50% of the cost of fuel are taxes ( Excise duty,octroi, sales tax, etc...) which in effect means 100% of the actual cost of fuel is added as taxes. This is looting the public which eventually will find its way to the politicians' pocket.

Prasanth Kumar M
Today, I bought some vegetables. The prices were: Tomato Rs.40/kg, ladies finger 48, carrot 42, beans 68, capsicum 52, was green chili at Rs.100! The is the case of before today's fuel price hike. Now imagine what would happen post-price hike from tomorrow...

Avinash
The money saved by the government can be used in welfare schemes. Some people have asked for reduction in taxes. I am of the view reduction in taxes means giving subsidy. Whether the government cuts taxes or gives subsidy it is left with less money to be spent on the governance.

Hebbar R
Where is governance in India? Funds allocated are just meant to be siphoned off. That is why you will always find that there insufficient funds for development. It is just foolish to assume that the government will now have more funds.

Pradeep Agarwal
The appetite for consumer goods in India has left the government with no option but to deregulate the prices. The US President also commented that Indians will drive the fossil fuel prices due to their unending quench for cars. It is time to tax new car purchase like Singapore to collect money for parking slots. Road tax in metro on 4 wheelers should be 25% of value for first buy 50% for 2nd & 100% for 3rd.
 
Hebbar R
Do you know that if the sales of automobiles reduce and if the sales of fuels reduce, the government will go bankrupt. Are you aware how many people work in auto-related segment and how many ancillary units are there supporting automobile manufacturing and how many people the ancillary units support? All this chain will collapse triggering an even major economic disaster than what has been seen last year.

Palanichamy Murugan
Please note that when oil price was at 145US$/barrel, government fixed the petrol price at Rs 52/litre. Now in international market, oil is selling around 80US$/barrel (just half of price). I cannot understand this hike.

Taxes
Price of petrol we pay has a hefty component of taxes from 52 to 55% of the cost! And all these goes into the kitty of either central or state govt.

Dinkar Arora
Prime Minister and Madam President, if you please stop reimbursing all facilities (instead of Salary) to MPs & MLAs then this decision are welcomed.

Aryan
Price hike in each and every segment. How are the common people suppose to live or else is it that only the rich and the ministers are suppose have the right to live in this world. Please don't elect Congress to rule our India. It's enough. Their time is over. They can give nothing other than price hike to India.

Pradeep Narain
Its a raise of about 8%. Drive judiciously. Try car pool. Combine two jobs. Use elecronic means to communicate and travel less. Sit at home and spend more time with family. Reduce pollution. Take a weekly drive off. Cut down on spending on partying. U will save more effectively. make this a habit as the prices will only keep rising

Mandook
You are looking at the price rise superficially. Do you know that oil marketing companies and companies like ONGC are losing hundreds of crore of rupees every day. And who pays ultimately for the losses of billions of rupees of public sector companies? It is you and I. They should be allowed to run on commercial lines. Otherwise these companies will have to shut down on bankruptcy grounds. If you want to use petrol, diesel, kerosene or gas, you have to pay market price for it. Otherwise you dont use it. It is as simple as that. Whether you elect Congies or Commies it is immaterial. You cannot run companies on loss! All those who oppose price rise are absolutely ignorant of economics and simple economic laws.

Raj Ray
Petrol rates will fall by atleast Rs 5 during elections 2014 and Soniaji will also call on her ministers and tell them please reduce the prices right now by at least 25 paisa so that we continue giving lollipops to Indians...we are born fools.