Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Oil woes

Protecting the poor by subsidising kerosene is one thing but there is no reason why owners of private vehicles, for example, should be protected from global trends. You have rightly pointed out this (Oh, these oil prices; May 24). With the 15th general election due within a year, the prices of oil products will be untouched for the sake of vote-bank.

S. Kanthimathinathan,

Kovilpatti (T.N.)

While oil is an essential item and price rise affects the common man, taxpayers cannot foot subsidies on oil for the jolly rides of the rich. State transport departments should either increase the number of buses or rope in private buses. By encouraging public transport, the ill–effects of the oil crisis could be reduced to an extent.

R. Ganesan,

Chennai

It is incredible that the price of crude has doubled within a year. But the government seems to be supporting the oil companies. Why not think in terms of rationing the supply of subsidised oil so that oil for unproductive and entertainment purposes is brought down? And, why not run government transport vehicles on LPG without subsidy?

J. Eden Alexander,

Thanjavur (T.N.)

The unchecked oil price has dealt a crushing blow to the economies of most countries. Our lot is more unenviable considering that our oil import bill constitutes a major budgetary expenditure. As citizens, we can cut the consumption of petrol and diesel by using our vehicles to the barest minimum. Petrol rationing may be a way out of the crisis.

C.P. Srinivasan

Chennai

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

The BJP’s hour of triumph
The rupee’s u-turn
Vegetarianism, tolerance and discrimination
The challenges in retaining the reader
Back to the theatre
Polepally: The Special Election Zone
The signals from Karnataka for Sonia Gandhi
Oil woes
Loan waiver
NOIDA murder case
Globalising education
Organ donation

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu