As the conversation of a passenger with the auto-driver caught my attention I realized they are talkin about the recent petroleum price hike — by about Rs. 4 for petrol and Rs. 2 for diesel.
The man sitting to the right of the driver’s seat (that is, breaking the law) rued over the hike saying that the days before bus fares will shoot up are but numbered.
The driver substantiates this by adding “Mr. Chakrabarty (Transport Minister, West Bengal) will have bend to the pressure of the bus owners’ unions.”
Then politics come in with the man saying, “CPM is protesting against this. But they have secretly settled deals with Congress. No doubt about that.”
Driver nods in agreement, with perhaps some less observable spirit. So it does not become clear whether he really agrees or does not want to offend his passenger — the Lakshmi.
Really, this hike though unavoidable (according the Petroleum and Finance ministries) is again another blow to the common man. But whatever be the public opinion, I must agree with the Left on one count. The petroleum companies are all state-owned PSUs. So there is no competition among them. Then what’s the use of spending crores on advertising! All the ads we see on TV or print media actually add up to the price. This area really needs to be checked.
you are right. checking the ads would cut a substantial amount of expenses.
they are on a perpetual hike, here in bangalore the auto fares shot up because of that… not fair
or sunao ji ki haal hen thuadde