Govt hiked Petrol... So do I...!

After a tiresome journey through KSRTC bus, finally i got down at Nellore bus station at around 4:30 am.

My mind was little excited as i was going home after a complete month. This might sound odd bt considering my travel experience for the past 1 and 1/2 years which used to be a weekly exercise, my statement carries its weight. My close frens know it clearly :-). That too its been few months since I reached Nellore in wee hours.

Amid all these thoughts a thought came forward that I need to travel 2-3 more kilo meters to reach home and I need to look for an auto.

Within no time one auto came and driver asked me "Where to go?"

I said "Usman Saheb Pet. Next to City M.L.A's house."

"Oh that side..! Its Ok come." the driver confirmed the deal without any more delay and started auto.

"Wait...!" I said firmly as I wanted to fix the amount before getting into auto, keeping my past experience in mind.

"How much?" My immediate question.

"80 Rs...!" His prompt response.

"Why so much? It never crossed 40 to 45 Rs at anytime in night. The sun is almost out there. Just few months before I gave 45Rs at 3:30am." I tried to use logical reasoning as my weapon in that bargaining war.

"Kab ka baat hain sir. Petrol rates are hiked every day. We cant run autos in loss nor can we control the petrol rates."

"But..." I am left with no words as I ve problem in countering facts. The weapon i tried to use had bounced back.

"Its Ok but reduce a bit" in a helpless tone.

"Ok. it wont be profitable for me unless it is min 70"

"Ok... lets go"

I forgot the matter and dozed off after reaching home. The next day mom ordered me to bring vegetables from market.

I said "I came on holiday dont give me work. I need to rest." with strong voice.

"What great things are you doing in Bangalore to rest here...?" Immediate response from my sister.

"If you come once a while, thats called holiday. For those who come weekly its not." She continued.

I could see similar if not same expressions in my mom's face and sensed the heat in the weather so left before I got another counter.

"How much is one kilo of Brinjal?"

"30 Rs...!" the fat lady replied.

"What..? Why so much? Tell me the actual price."

"Yoh..!" She miffed With all the irritation and arrogance of the world in her face.

Actually 'Yoh' is the short form of 'Endi Ayyoh', used to counter a guy with frustration, anger when the guy's words are not acceptable.

"I am not doing charity. U need - take it. If not - just leave. Dont waste my time." She added. "See how is he Bargaining as if he takes some 10 kilos" she murmered.

I felt bad but wanted to deal with her some other way.

"But 30 rs is little high. Let me know your final price" I asked her in a little soft voice.

Seems the trick worked but not with her rather with her husband.

He answered me in a low voice "There is nothing new sir. Petrol rates are increased. So are the rates of Vegetables. If you come to my village, I will give you for half the price. I am not farming rather I purchased from wholesale market and reselling here."

I silently finished the business and left the place.

On my way back home, similar stint happened with the autovalah and he too gave me the same reasoning of Petrol, Diesel.

Then started wondering... The shop keeper and the autovalah both are just adjusting their price table according to their expenses with some profit. But so is the Govt doing in case of Petrol and Diesel rates. No Service. If the barrel price is hiked in international market or the dollar value is increased, they are increasing the price. They are just doing business moreover a mere adjustment of price table. But i dont remember they have decreased the domestic rates when the crude oil rates went down. But each time they increase the rate of diesel, the repercussions continue for months in almost all commodities of common man and there is no going back.

It reminded me Mr.Sarad Pawar's words... "The supply for milk is decreasing but the demand is not. So to attract farmers to produce more milk and thus meet the demand, we need to hike the milk prices".

Are the govt, ministers, their assistants, strategists, all this equipment and infrastructure there just to adjust the price table based on demand & supply?

If that is the case, do we need to maintain such expensive system which is again a burden on common man?

If they can't forecast the supply / demand and take corrective measures, why do we need to feed them?

Don't our Finance minister and his dept know the basic economic principles that an autovalah and vegetable shop keeper know? If they know that simple things, we would have not seen this ridiculous hikes in Diesel atleast leave Petrol which is more of a personal affair.

They know but they want to project India is shining in front of the world. Even I want it to happen but not at the cost of common man's life. The development and Inflation cant go in the same road, I agree too. But A perfect balance is required. Nobody wants to say that we are developed with what I am earning is way less than what I need for my basic needs.

First I want to make sure that I am happy inside home. Only then I think of projecting myself to the outside world.