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Steep oil price hike hits the common man

The inflation is rising at an alarming rate, the Centre’s measures notwithstanding. Added to this is the steep increase in the oil prices. The common man finds it difficult to make both ends meet. The day is not far off when the nation shall find itself drenched in a pool of energy and food crisis.

In the election year, the UPA government will try to check the prices, but will these help the common man? It should take stringent measures like bringing hoarders to book. Subsidies to consolidate the vote bank of the ruling party must go. The people should conserve petrol and diesel. If reliable and timely bus services are available, personal vehicles should not be used. At least for a few days in a month, one should not ply his/her car/scooter.

We should take the cue from the late Lal Bahadur Shastri who made tireless efforts to avert the food crisis during his tenure as Prime Minister. Food was not served in hotels for a few days of the week and the people fully cooperated with him. The leaders should set an example for others and, if need be, they should also abandon their vehicles for some days.

SANTOSH KUMAR JAMWAL, Chauki Jamwalan (HP)

II

This is the biggest price hike of the decade. But then, this was unavoidable because of the global oil prices. The fossil fuel will continue to be scarcer. It’s time for other alternatives.

The onus is on the farm sector for nearly 30 per cent of oil consumption. We can reduce this by switching over to bullock carts. Some time ago, a premier engineering institute had improved the design of bullock carts making it capable of carrying larger loads with comparatively less effort.

If the bullock cart is patronised and popularised, it will help conserve oil as also make best use of the increasing number of stray cattle. Bullock carts can handle food grains, fodder and other farm items to and from the nearest grain markets. The dependence on the diesel-run tractor trolleys will reduce which, in turn, will keep the environment clean. Similarly, there is need to improve the existing design of solar cookers to save the costlier LPG. Our scientists and experts ought to focus their attention on this on priority.

L.R. SHARMA, Sundernagar (HP)

III

After increasing the prices of petroleum products, the Centre now expects all the state governments to reduce sales tax on them to lessen the burden on the people. Sales tax is a major source of income of the states and how much they would reduce remains to be seen.

The steep hike will have an adverse affect on every sphere of activity. Bus fares will increase and trucks too will increase the transportation charges for essential commodities, vegetables and so on. All this will hit the common man, the farmers, the salaried class and the small businessmen.

M.L. SINHA, Banga (Nawanshahr)

IV

The steep hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas is disturbing. It is bound to have a snowballing effect. The survival of the common man, already reeling under skyrocketing prices, would become incredibly nightmarish. What a pity!

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

V

As if the oil price hike was not sufficient to upset the budget of the consumers, oil companies have the temerity to goad petroleum dealers to push the sale of premium category of fuel (Ludhiana Tribune, June 8). By enhancing the price of premium oil by Re 1, they would be adding to the burden on users.

May the public know how oil companies have assumed arbitrary powers to pressurise the dealers to force customers to purchase costly petroleum so that the former can rake in more money to swell their kitty?

Apart from this raise, aam admi is already bogged down by higher cost of essential commodities. The authorities concerned should rise to the occasion and take measures to check the greedy oil companies.

Dr I.S. KALRA, Ludhiana