Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Another hike

Gone are the days of cheap fuel and we have to be prepared to pay more (“Diesel price up by Rs.3, LPG to cost Rs.50 more,” June 25). Protests against a price hike may be politically correct but they cannot solve the problem of the increasing price of international crude. India must now concentrate on using alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and biogas with suitable tax breaks for those who go in for them.

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bangalore

India is at the mercy of other nations in importing fuel. So the time has come to exploit what we have in abundance. We have the sun for almost 365 days of the year, so why can't we go in for solar power? We also have adequate land, so why can't we explore the use of bio-fuels? We must examine the New York city's recent project of a large-scale solar grid designed to meet its huge energy needs.

S. Venugopalan,

Chennai

The government may have its compulsions in hiking fuel prices, but it should ensure practical measures to curb inflation. Like, for example, enacting rules and laws against hoarders, blackmarketers and adulterators. We also do not want absurd statistical figures that are applicable in neighbouring countries being reeled out to justify the current hike.

Harischandra Parshuram,

Mumbai

Food inflation has soared to a 10-week high, and the IMD now predicts less rainfall during the current monsoon. Then comes the blow by the government, all in the name of rescuing the oil marketing companies.

Perhaps, the growth trajectory of Indian billionaires, post neo-liberalism, must now be brought into the picture. The decline of public services, regressive taxation, re-conversion of land use and lowering of trade and investment barriers are the very factors that have made privileged Indian millionaires into billionaires while, at the same time, lowering the living standards of the vulnerable sections. Perhaps, the government ought to make these millionaires and billionaires shoulder the responsibility of protecting the interests of the oil PSUs in a meaningful manner as part of their corporate social responsibility and nation building.

E. Krishnadas,

Palakkad

Another blow at midnight. The government seems to be specialising in the art of striking at midnight. The midnight swoop on those fighting for a Lokpal was the other. The aam aadmi seems to the recipient of nothing good — skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, massive corruption and official apathy.

Hansraj Bhat,

Mumbai

Based on what the government says, the oil firms currently lose Rs.15.44 a litre on diesel, Rs.27.47 a litre on kerosene and Rs.381.14 on the sale of every domestic LPG cylinder. While we agree that people may get some relief if the State governments cut levies, why can't the government reveal the break-up of the fuel costs? How much petrol/diesel is extracted from a barrel of crude? What are the tax composition/production /transportation/middleman costs when compared to the final price? We also need to know how efficient our oil companies are in production. It won't be surprising if there is a hidden scam in this.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad

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

Stories in this Section

The best CBM yet
Impact will be harsh and wide
A law that thwarts justice
Urban partnerships for a sustainable future
U.S. releases graphic images to deter smokers
Egypt's poorest — the revolution's real challenge
EU scheme for small farmers
‘Clean' waiver ends
Another hike
On the Lokpal
End of ordeal

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu