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Govt needs to be fair on oil price hike
The Union Government had increased the prices of petroleum products like diesel and LPG owing to a rise in international crude oil prices and the fall in the value of the rupee against the dollar, which made imports expensive. The government will perpetrate a great “fraud” on the people of the country by allowing oil companies to go ahead with heavy hike in fuel prices again as state oil companies, as per their recent declarations, had posted profits and together they have a cash reserve of Rs 1 lakh crore. When there is hike in international prices, the government’s revenues increase proportionately as customs duty alongwith other central taxes are imposed. The government reaps a bonanza and imposes this burden on the people through higher prices. But when there is a fall in global crude prices and the rupee rises against the dollar, it means that state-owned oil companies are still earning more profits on petrol which actually needs to be passed on to the consumers. Calculations suggest that oil firms have been making profits of around Rs 2 per litre since September 16, but have not passed on the gain to consumers. There seems to be no logic in slashing petrol rates because of elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Every time, the Indian currency gains a rupee against the dollar, petrol becomes cheaper by 77 paise. Similarly, for every one-dollar fall in barrel in crude oil prices, petrol becomes cheaper by 33 paise. During the period Sept16- Sept 30, the Indian rupee gained against US dollar by Rs 1.82 to Rs 53.65 compared to Rs 55.47. Thus automatically, it is incumbent upon the government to slash petrol prices minimum to the extent of Rs 2 per litre. S K KHOSLA, Chandigarh
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Stop Modi-bashing There have been two elections in Gujarat post-Godhra riots and in both the people of Gujarat voted wholeheartedly in favour of Narendra Modi. A dispassionate conclusion is that the people of Gujarat did not hold Modi responsible for the riots. Opinion builders are clear that Modi has done extremely well for the social and economic well-being of the state. There is complete peace, safety and security unlike in places like India’s capital city. In this backdrop, the Congress party and the UPA government would be well advised to stop Modi bashing Prof CK SARDANA, Bhopal Sachin-speak Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has suggested “honing” the potential of youngsters by integrating sports with the education system by overhauling the sports infrastructure at the university and college level (news report “Govt to examine Sachin’s proposal on integrating sports, education: Sibal” (October 10) The cricketer-turned-MP has suggested a roadmap for consideration by the HRD Ministry. As per his advice, every student is required to opt for any one of the three activities – NSS, Sports, NCC. All the activities infuse a spirit of team work and national integration in the students and can help educational institutes produce better citizens. Dr YP GUPTA, Ludhiana Govt help needed The editorial “Dealing with rapists” (October 2) rightly says that sex impulse is not the sole reason behind sexual crimes. In fact, it is intermingled with social, cultural and psychological issues, which must be addressed. People must be sensitised across all sections of society through mass media campaigns. Counsellers at government hospitals must be appointed in huge numbers to address sexual issues. The government should explore the possibility of awarding punishment in the form of castration for rapists especially for incestuous offenders, which is being done in many countries. It is high time government steps in armed with stringent laws to curtail such heinous crimes. SUBHASH C TANEJA, Gurgaon II There are three main reasons for the growing sex crime in Haryana —- a skewed sex ratio, free flow of liquor and easy money amassed by sale of land to the government. What is the solution? The answer lies in empowerment of women and making the society sensitive to gender-specific issues. Girls’ education needs to be given further boost and the lady teachers in schools/colleges should take active interest in making the girl students aware about social evils like molestation, rape, eve-teasing. The Haryana police must get its act together, and be effective. Col R D SINGH (retd), Ambala Cantt
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