The hike in diesel price by Rs five per litre and the decision by the government to give only six domestic LPG cylinders per annum to each household have left the common man in deep trouble.
The fallout is certain to be felt far and wide. Essential commodities will become dearer, not to speak of bus and train fares.
With salaries not being hiked at the same pace and the cost of living rising
almost everyday, home budgets have ballooned making it impossible to even dream of a decent living.
While the opposition parties are reacting to these moves, the ordinary man is angered by the announcement and wonders why the government is taking such unrealistic steps.
A senior official with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) points out that after the present decision, any number of cylinders will be available over and above the cap of six cylinders at market rate.
The number of cylinders available to each consumer in the remaining part of this financial year will be three cylinders.
"The middle class and those below poverty line do not consume more than six cylinders a year. It is even lesser for poorer families who don't need so many cylinders," he says.
"It will affect the consumers only to a small extent. Only those consuming more cylinders will have to pay extra," he adds.
There wasn't a huge line-up at diesel bunks after the announcement. Most people had tanked up before the price hike came into effect.
M D'Souza, general manager of a petrol bunk in the heart of the City, says, "It will definitely affect our sales in the beginning but life has to go on and people will come back and buy diesel.
We had a huge rush last evening but I am sure when diesel is exhausted, people will come back."
Karthik, a librarian, thinks that the government must roll back its decision to hike the prices.
"I don't think the hike is justified. This rise will have an impact on the prices of all the other essential commodities. Our salaries will not be hiked, so we continue to adjust money to make both ends meet," he says.
Vijay, a carpenter, asks, "the rich who use petrol will not be bothered but what about the poor who use diesel? How are we supposed to raise money to meet the rising price?"
The students say that the hike will not affect them because their parents provide the money. Akshay Gopalan, an engineering student says, "I use a petrol bike and my father gives me the money but I think the hike is unfair to people, who use only diesel vehicles."
Manish, a software professional, says, "We have such a corrupt government that indulges in partisan politics most of the time. We pay taxes and sometimes I wonder where all the money is going. As for LPG, most households use more than six cylinders. Paying extra is indeed a burden."
Housewives are miffed with the decision and say that they will not only have to alter their household budgets but give up a lot of weekend entertainment. "Now the prices of all the other commodities will also go up.
We used to go out for a movie on weekends and maybe a eat out once in a way, now all that will have to be cut down," concludes Priya Anand.
The fallout is certain to be felt far and wide. Essential commodities will become dearer, not to speak of bus and train fares.
With salaries not being hiked at the same pace and the cost of living rising
almost everyday, home budgets have ballooned making it impossible to even dream of a decent living.
While the opposition parties are reacting to these moves, the ordinary man is angered by the announcement and wonders why the government is taking such unrealistic steps.
A senior official with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) points out that after the present decision, any number of cylinders will be available over and above the cap of six cylinders at market rate.
The number of cylinders available to each consumer in the remaining part of this financial year will be three cylinders.
"The middle class and those below poverty line do not consume more than six cylinders a year. It is even lesser for poorer families who don't need so many cylinders," he says.
"It will affect the consumers only to a small extent. Only those consuming more cylinders will have to pay extra," he adds.
There wasn't a huge line-up at diesel bunks after the announcement. Most people had tanked up before the price hike came into effect.
M D'Souza, general manager of a petrol bunk in the heart of the City, says, "It will definitely affect our sales in the beginning but life has to go on and people will come back and buy diesel.
We had a huge rush last evening but I am sure when diesel is exhausted, people will come back."
Karthik, a librarian, thinks that the government must roll back its decision to hike the prices.
"I don't think the hike is justified. This rise will have an impact on the prices of all the other essential commodities. Our salaries will not be hiked, so we continue to adjust money to make both ends meet," he says.
Vijay, a carpenter, asks, "the rich who use petrol will not be bothered but what about the poor who use diesel? How are we supposed to raise money to meet the rising price?"
The students say that the hike will not affect them because their parents provide the money. Akshay Gopalan, an engineering student says, "I use a petrol bike and my father gives me the money but I think the hike is unfair to people, who use only diesel vehicles."
Manish, a software professional, says, "We have such a corrupt government that indulges in partisan politics most of the time. We pay taxes and sometimes I wonder where all the money is going. As for LPG, most households use more than six cylinders. Paying extra is indeed a burden."
Housewives are miffed with the decision and say that they will not only have to alter their household budgets but give up a lot of weekend entertainment. "Now the prices of all the other commodities will also go up.
We used to go out for a movie on weekends and maybe a eat out once in a way, now all that will have to be cut down," concludes Priya Anand.