Price rise: who is to blame?

  WHEN the Central government decided to increase the prices of wheat, rice and sugar sold through the PDS shops, there was some doubt whether it was right or wrong, even when justified from the viewpoint of an all-round rise in inputs. However, on the levy of five paisa per unit of electricity consumed and the increase in the price of LPG, the hue and cry raised by some opposition parties and even by coalition partners of the Central government shows that they consider it their duty to condemn whatever is done by the government, though they would do the same thing or even worse when they themselves were ruling the country. It is essential to have some national policy.

I distinctly remember that when I went to Switzerland in 1961, 90 Swiss Francs were equal to Rs 100. However, in 1993-94 when the Congress was still in power one could get Rs 28 for 1 Sw. Fr. The prices of commodities of daily use have gone up 40 times since the 1950s. Who is responsible for this? Certainly not the BJP.

I think the Central government has done well to levy electricity tax to raise resources for the development of this important infrastructure sector. It is not in the national interest to run after foreign investors. The government can gain substantially in the power sector if it enforces compliance of the statutory provisions to maintain the low tension consumers' premises voltage within ±6 per cent. This enforcement will bring down the transmission and distribution loss substantially and cause a saving of at least one year's investment in this sector.

Instead of raising resources by increasing railway fares and freight, the prices of diesel, etc, which provide an easy excuse to traders to hike the rates more than what are justified, this should be done in the case of items/services availed off by the consumers directly. Electricity, cooking gas, telephones and roads are the fields to be considered in this regard. Obviously, any person utilising these services cannot be clubbed with the people living below the poverty line. However, it is necessary that extra resources from any sector should only be used for the development of that sector only.

P.S. SATNAM
Engineer-in-Chief (rtd), PSEB
Patiala

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Calling a spade a spade

Justice A.M. Ahmadi richly deserved the editorial compliment for his courage to call a spade a spade ("Ahmadi's anguish", Feb 2).

No doubt, The Tribune has, over the years, opposed the growing "anti-secularism"/religious intolerance with conspicuous consistency and steadfastness. The illustrious founder of the prestigious paper must be feeling immensely gratified to note that those who were, over the years, called upon to preside over the destinies of his "brainchild" have upheld his cherished ideals most scrupulously.

To my mind, it seems high time for the "religions of the world" collectively to yield place to the unique "religion of man". The following Urdu couplet sounds exceedingly pertinent:

Koi Barahman to koi Sheikh ban gaya.

Teri bandagi se pehle jo shakhs aadmi tha.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

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Agony of Kashmiris

With that little ray of light which came piercing through a torn-out portion of my tent, I could read that Mr Nawaz Sharif expected a solution to the Kashmir problem this year. With paper in my hands, I came out of my dark tent to have a second glimpse of the news in the open sun. It was a happy moment for me, since it meant an end to all my sufferings in exile.

I could not believe my eyes, so I closed my eyelids and asked the angles: "Has India relented? Has Pakistan shifted its stand with regard to Kashmir? Shall foreign mercenaries evict my house in Kashmir? Should I return home? Is Allah mian working out some formula?" Soon came the reply: "No." My momentary happiness disappeared, and without opening my eyes, again I went inside the government-gifted shelter to witness its darkness.

SATISH KOUL
Jammu

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Tailpiece

Why has the AIADMK supremo, Ms J. Jayalalitha, refused to sign the statement of the constituents of the BJP-led coalition not to voice their differences openly, and warned the Vajpayee government of an appropriate decision about continuing her alliance at the appropriate time?

Answer: Bigren na baat baat pe kyoon Jaantey hain voh.

Ham voh nahin ke ham ko manaaya Na jaaye ga.

BHAGWAN SINGH
Qadian