Hike in Petrol Price

Government has recently hiked petrol price by Rs. 7.55 –a- litre.  A steep hike of 10%.  The actual impact to consumer is the tune of Rs. 8.00-a- litre.  The reasons given for such hike is that the oil companies are bleeding and their reserves have been eroded because of   mounting losses.  In India though the administered  prices were dismantled long back yet Public sector oil companies are controlled by the government therefore government dictate the price.   In view of this pricing policy, price based on market mechanism only remains on  the papers.  But the moot question is whether government justified further  burdening middle class who is already overloaded  with plethora of taxes?

Government has itself accepted that there is policy paralysis in India because of coalition structure.    It waited first for assembly elections in some of the states to over and then  parliament session to close, to blow this lid of hiking petrol price.  Further it had  extreme fear psychosis from West Bengal Didi  Mamta who will always flay its tantrum and act as a opposition leader to halts government for pursuing its policy.    Government found new love in Lalu Prasad and   Mulayam Singh and mustard courage to announce steep hike in petrol prices.  Now question is why only petrol prices?  Why not that of diesel, Kerosene and LPG?

There is huge cross subsidization of diesel, Kerosene and LPG.  If there is reasonable hike in all the three, then definitely petrol price will alone not suffer such a  casualty.    Every year government gives subsidy to the extent of Rs. 1,90,000 crore on account of diesel, LPG and Kerosene.  Government has its own logic.  If LPG price is increased, then common man will suffer.  If diesel price is increased, then the freight cost will go up and there will be inflationary pressure in the economy. 

But the fact lies somewhere else.  The world over practically there is no difference in prices of  MS and diesel.  A major component in fuel prices is taxes.  A consumer has to pay bear custom duty, excise duty and VAT.  In some states  like Punjab and Haryana, the VAT is as high as 40%.  The oil companies are holy cows suffering from operational inefficiencies, corruption, indecisiveness, nepotism and ultimately this leads to higher cost of production and poor consumer is made to suffer.  Government is charging such astronomical  VAT to finance its resources.  But what kind of resources ?  Government does not have money to pay the salary to school teacher, maintenance of its hospitals, cleaning of roads, providing potable water to its farmers  for health of citizen.    But see the contrast.     It has resources to provide the best of luxuries to its ministers, bureaucrats, police officers, and VIPs.  In Punjab alone, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister does not travel without a fleet of atleast 25 cars, surrounded by not less than 100 commandoes and so is the case with other ministers and their deputies.  Why this extravaganza?  Perhaps our democracy has become feudalistic type of governance.    The great nations and great leaders do not indulge in this kind of hypocrisy. 

However, there is a ray of hope.  “When there is will, there is a way”.  While giving reply to Parliament during discussion on Lokpal Bill, Finance Minister Pranav Mukherjee said, “Corruption cannot be routed by blow of a whistle, but government will take concrete step by making public institution more and more transparent supported by technology.  Refund of Income tax, Making of Passport  are such efforts in that direction.”   This leads us to believe that if government takes effective steps burden on common man be minimized  if not wholly mitigated. 

How can we achieve the goal of helping poor without disturbing economy.  The scheme of ‘Adhar’ is one step in that direction.   A few concrete steps like stop subsidizing the product, instead  give subsidy  by way of cash in the bank account of poor as per consumption norms, hike in excise duty in diesel run cars and SUVs, stop unproductive expenditure, reassess threat perception and cut expenditure on so called VIPs, strong anti corruption measures like Lok Pal Bill or equivalent, strong action on tax evasion are some of the steps which government can take to bring the economy on track.   

But surely, putting common man to suffer by hiking unprecedented petrol price does not go well with anybody when government has other options, like reducing excise duty, VAT and stopping cross subsidization. 

MY SCHOOL DAYS IN JODHPUR

The autumn is at its scenting ostentation.     The weather is at its best of pleasantness.  The cool breeze of morning followed by bright sun shine is so soothing that the mind and heart go for prayer and thanks God for making life so beautiful.  And when you are enjoying such beauty of nature, the FM  is rendering “Kanha se aaye badra”, “koi gata ..main so jajata”,” tuje mere sur me sur mila de” and so on by Yasodash, you are completed lost in mesmerised effect of music and of course its associated beautiful  reminiscences.    This has prompted to me write this

Having passed middle school in Mokalsar and after appearing test for National Talent Hunt examination, my train hurtled me to Jodhpur for onward education.  This was a rule in the family that everybody has to go to Jodhpur after middle school, though matric facility was available in Mokalsar.  But sheer thought of getting good education, parents, sent us to Jodhpur.

It was 15^th June, 1978 when I took  Bhildi  Passenger and changed train at Samdari to board on Barmer Passenger, to say good bye to Mokalar for ever and embrace a new city called Jodhpur.  I was 13  at that time. I  got off at Jodhpur Railway station at around 3.30 pm.  But I did not have the correct address, but had some vague  idea,  so walked upto Jalori gate and then took a tempo who unloaded me at my destination.      I didn't know that the excitement and happiness I had in my mind for joining new school and new location will put a new challenge to life…living in a hostel kind of situation without involvement of parents.

Our flat had One Bed room, one drawing cum study room and one Veranda and a kitchen.  Three brothers were already there.  Two were studying and the and the third one was working in a nearby town  who used to visit us once or twice in a fortnight.

Hanwant School was obvious choice by my father for secondary education as list of meritorious students were prominently displayed on the walls of School. 

I spent three years in the school and I do not remember any day without any teacher in the class.  And surprisingly, in the very first year I was called on the stage at the Annual function and honoured for having 100% attendance.    This was enough inspiration for me to do a little hard work.  In  all the three classes from 9^th to 11^th I stood first in the class.  Xth was of course Board and I secured 11^th position in all over the Rajasthan.   This came without any additional efforts.  I was simply studying regularly and did not carry burden of tension in my mind for Board exams.  Coming from a humble background of rural life, I was in indomitable spirit to impress the school with my extracurricular activities also. 

Therefore, I  took active part in debate and essay writing competitions.  And as the luck would have it, I stood on top ranking in both the contests at District Tournaments.

I had special challenges on acceptability in the school as I was new.   Therefore, it was vert pertinent for me to be recognised so that I get due respect from peers and teachers.  I observed a few days and found that some of the students are very good at studies and very prompt in response.  I tried to develop friendship with them by being more attentive in the class and making myself first every time in response.   Besides, remembering the lessons, neat assignments, focus on language was a must for me.  And very soon, with all humbleness, I made my presence felt in the class.  Participation in extracurricular activities particularly essay writing and debating were added in my profile as a hobby which I still pursue.     Lot of opportunities were coming in my ways from District Administration, Rotary Club, Lions Club to participate in these programmes.  And honestly, I did not lose even a single opportunity.  It was really a learning experience when I faced female students of St Patrics School in debating.  Their accent, their delivery style and sense of clothing, expression, and confidence was unparallel.    The first opportunity came to me to speak on stage on 15^th August , 1979 when I was class X student and was asked to come on stage and speak extempore.  This day was also coincided  with Krishna Janmasthmi and I was to speak on both the occasion.   And was surprised to see that I could speak for 10 minutes non stop and got standing ovation from students and teachers alike. 

There was no dearth of encouragement from school side.  Shri Mahendra Singh Chouhan was our Head Master and I was having privilege to buy any text book from Laxmi Book Depot at the expense of school.  What a great man was he!  He understood the psychology of a kid.  And I never allowed him to be disappointed when come to performance.   I also bagged many prizes in District level competitions in debate and essay writing. 

I never attended private tution classes.  But our routine was very disciplined.  Daily two hours practice on type writer was a must to score marks above 90%.  Since we all brothers were there as students, so house hold work was also important.  I was sharing the responsibility of collecting water, cleaning the house and utensils.  Though in our building we were four tenants, but cleaning of the whole building was my utmost priority.  When seeing a kid of school cleaning the building, all other neighbours particularly women folk would come out and extend their help.   Morning and evening walk was a part and partial of my life.  I used to get up at around 5 o clock, used to go for a walk upto Satsang Bhawan, used to participate in the morning prayers.  Evening used to be still more pleasant; we would have our dinner by 7 pm.  Raju nromally joined me in the evening walk.  We used to take different routes every time to enjoy the serenity of nature.  Walk upto Nehru Park and Shastri Circle was our routine. 

A common friend in the family introduced me to a lawyer Shri Paras Chopra in 1980 when I was in class X.  I started working with him  and got initial lessons for pass port applications, Sales Tax Returns, Income Tax Returns, Bank Finance and start up of new venture.  In the process I had to travel upto Jaipur for all these work.     Now when I think of past, I just smile.  My travel used to be either in Bus or train and  I still vividly feel smell of bidis in the train coaches.

My trip to Jaipur used to be of special significance.  My brother’s in laws house was there.  Suresh, my bhabhi’s brother used to give me company.  Both of us would cover   Jaipur city on bicyle and used to visit offices together as I had little knowledge of geography of Jaipur.  Evening used to be for merry making.  We would  play all games, have nice food cooked by mother of my bhabhi.  Card games, Dice Games, merry making, cinema in Raj Mandir, visit to Ganesh Temple on Moti Dungari road and so on were always on our itinerary.

To prepare for board examinations,   my friend Ashok and I agreed to study together.    I used to go to his house from 12.30 noon to 6 pm in the evening.    During this period, we would study continuously without break.  Of course, in between energy drinks and fruits were always served by his Jiji to keep us refreshed.   I developed a very strong bonding with Ashok and I still consider him as my best friend.   The festival of holi used to be either during examinations or immediately after examinations.  There used to be special charm attached to celebration of this festival of colours in Jodhpur.  The celebration used to be a weeklong affairs.  I remember folk songs of a local singer, Dhinga Gori Mela, Gawar to Mela and host of activities in the city area, men and women attired in colourful costumes, enjoying festivities, the fragrance of jodhpuri sweets, suparis and smell of new clothes were used to be deadly combination to keep us mesmerized. 

I very strongly feel the school time is the best  time in the life of anybody when he enjoys maximum, he learns the lessons of life, the text book education which is really useful in life, and a time, whose memories are normally not faded, a time when you make friends for ever.  Therefore, let kids fly in the big sky called school,  let them inhale the fragrance of beauty of this world.

Jai hind.