Date:06/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/06/stories/2008060654470801.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Politics of oil

It is shocking that various parties are looking at the price rise as an opportunity to play politics. It is, instead, time for the common man to understand the gravity of the situation and conserve the limited resources by preventing wastage.

Rashmi Chouhan,

Indore

What is the point in the opposition parties organising strong, nationwide protests when the government is bent on increasing the fuel prices? I suggest that they come up with suggestions instead of wasting their time in organising bandhs and protests.

Dundi Ajay,

Bangalore

While the unprecedented inflation has put the ruling UPA government in an unenviable position, other political parties seem to be viewing it as a godsend.

Salil Gewali,

Shillong

The fuel price rise is only the beginning of a crisis. Oil is estimated to last only a few more decades. Time is to appreciate the need for alternative sources of fuel. The immediate need of the hour is to save oil. By playing into the hands of the political parties that are fishing in troubled waters, we will get nowhere.

P. Chandrasekaran,

Erode

Tackling shortage

The price hike may appear devastating for the aam aadmi but in the long run, it will prove beneficial for us. We will be forced to use less private vehicles. This means less traffic and less pollution on the roads. Now that the people have to shell out more money on fuel, they will reduce their expenditure on eating out and unnecessary shopping. This will bring down the demand for consumer goods and help in controlling the prices. It will also encourage the people to save.

Anubhav Bhargava,

Gondia

I agree that we must have different prices for fuel (Letters, June 5). That the owner of a simple low-end two-wheeler pays the same price for petrol as the owner of high-end SUV makes little sense. Most of the huge cars have no more than two persons sitting in them. While the affluent sections commit such wastage, it is the lower income group that is left to languish when price hikes are thrust upon it. The government should introduce a policy of differential rates depending upon the type of the vehicle.

Manojh Ananthakrishnan,

Neyveli

The government should temporarily halt the number of new vehicles on the roads. Taxes and duties on vehicles, and the interest rate on vehicle loans should be increased. Insurance premium should also be hiked.

The government should improve public transport and encourage the people to use it. Employees of PSUs should be given common buses. This way, they will also reach the office in time. Petrol bunks should have a compulsory weekly holiday. The government can consider carrying ads appealing to the people to save fuel.

Mukesh Chaudhari,

Chennai

The global escalation of crude prices is only expected to worsen and it is for the countries to prepare for the worst. India must work on oil conservation if it is to contain inflation. As consumers, we should cut our consumption.

K. Chidanand Kumar,

Bangalore

The price hike is inevitable when the oil prices are skyrocketing in the international market. We are dependent on fossil fuels, which are exhaustible, for our energy needs. We will face a severe energy crisis unless our government gradually moves from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biomass and water. There is also an urgent need to develop mass transport system in all the cities.

R. Ram Narsimha Reddy,

Warangal

The government deserves praise for its efforts to insulate the common man and the OMCs from the global price rise. But the big question is: for how long can the policy continue? What is needed is a long-term efficient solution. We have entered the “period of consequence” and moderate hikes may soon be a thing of the past.

T. Prashant,

Secunderabad