oil price concerns - part 2

Whoa! When the whole nation is up against the rise in diesel prices, hardly we accept the fact that we are responsible for the surge in diesel prices. The diesel subsidy which is given by the government to keep the prices of essential commodities in an affordable manner is getting defeated on a daily basis. One has to believe that instead of showing dissent on rise in diesel prices, we should utilise the fuel efficiently and thereby we will be able to bring down the consumption quantity of diesel. Because of increased utilisation of diesel, the public sector oil companies have been left with only one option but to buy the fuel at any cost.

 The misuse of subsidised fuel for our personal transportation has led to this crisis. Recent survey by government have revealed data showing 30 % of the subsidised fuel is being used for purposes which it should not be meant for, resulting in extra imports of diesel at increased prices. This further is used as a marketing strategy by automobile companies wherein they sell diesel cars at higher prices because of growing demand. As citizens of India we should be responsible for wellbeing of fellow Indians, where nearly 30 per cent of Indian population is below poverty line. However the situation has become alarming now and with government deciding to take on bulls with horns by a proposal on taxing diesel cars with higher tax and bringing a cap on number of cylinders per household. It’s high time that oil consumers need to change their approach or in future they will be forced to change.