DO SOMETHING
It is quite intriguing that government is simply doing nothing to control the price of different fuels as the petrol and diesel prices were again hiked by 40 paise a litre each, taking the total increase in rates in the last two weeks to Rs 8.40 per litre in Delhi and consequently other states and UTs feeling the heat as per local taxes. Under normal conditions, the rates would see the change which is marginal but due to current crisis in the world erupted after the Russia-Ukraine war, the chances of fuel price hike are strong and it is likely that under present formula and taxes very soon the fuel prices whether LPG, Petrol, diesel, etc may jump several notches to make this entity out of reach of common man leading to unprecedented crisis. As Petrol in Delhi is at Rs. 103.81 per litre as against Rs. 103.41 previously, while diesel rates have gone up from Rs. 94.67 per litre to Rs. 95.07, the situation is becoming scary with each passing day as this is the 12th increase in prices since the ending of a four-and-half-month long hiatus in rate revision on March 22. If the government can manipulate rates during the elections then it should also consider doing the same thing during the normal days as providing succor to the people is its prime responsibility especially when the situation has turned so sensitive that this basic entity has been going out of the hands of the masses. There is no doubt that the crisis is worldwide but India should take a cue from US, as recently to provide succor to the countrymen from rising gasoline prices and related inflation, President Joe bidden has launched the largest release ever from the U.S. emergency oil reserve and challenged oil companies to drill more in an attempt to bring down gasoline prices that have soared during Russia’s war with Ukraine. Though the situation in India is different but then the government should find a different solution rather than putting all the weight on the shoulders of the common man. It is the time when the government should explore all the ways and means to provide succor to the masses by regulating fuel prices and not leaving the population on the mercy of God.