New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on Thursday approved a Rs. 5 hike in the price of diesel. Here are some of the reactions on the price hike:
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief: We want a rollback. I am shocked. The matter is very serious and sensitive. We can't compromise with the people's issue. We will discuss our plan of action in our party meeting. We know the economic crisis we are with the government but enough is enough. I will be most happy to withdraw support (from the UPA). If I withdraw support, then other parties will provide support to them. And, then ask why we left the UPA which led to its collapse. People had misunderstood us when we had withdrawn support earlier.
Digvijaya Singh, Congress General Secretary: We are not in favour of a hike in diesel prices to such an extent because it hurts the farmers and common man. At the same time, there are some unpleasant decisions that have to be taken by the government by taking an overall view of what is best for the country.
Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader: We have a massive loot of national resource like Coal on the one hand. The Government is now robbing the common man to pay for that loot. Strange are the policies of this Government which got elected in the name of the common man. They have demolished the kitchen of a lady who is to manage the house.
Yashwant Sinha, former finance minister and BJP leader: This is going to cause undue hardship. Prices are not under control. This will lead to overall inflation and mayhem in the economy. Need a system where the burden isn't transferred to the people in this hamhanded manner. If prices are to be raised, they should be raised in small dozes, not like by huge margins like Rs. 5.
Anant Kumar, BJP leader: It will be a direct hit on the common man and the farmers of the entire country. Cap on number of cylinders is highly condemnable.
Kamal Farooqi, leader, Samajwadi Party: The jump is too big and it seems to be a political one than an economic decision. Immediately after Parliament, they have done it. Will demand a rollback. Definitely, we will ask for some consideration to be given, we are concerned.
Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader (to NDTV): Decision ill-timed, will hurt the common man.
Gurudas Das Gupta, CPI leader: Never seen such a massive increase. It will stimulate inflation and aggravate the economic slowdown, which will cost jobs. We will protest in every way we can.
Prakash Karat, CPM leader (to NDTV): UPA government has taken the anti-people's step by raising diesel prices, no way can we accept it. Unless the govt rolls back the price hike, it will have to face the political consequences.
J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief: Centre is betraying the poor. The diesel price hike will lead to an overall price rise. The Centre should rollback the hike if its interested in people's welfare. Limiting the subsidised gas cylinders would affect poor and middle class households.
C Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (to a private TV channel): The government had taken the right decision, and that fiscal deficit had to be contained. An increase in diesel prices in India should avert a credit rating downgrade for the country.
RS Butola, CMD, Indian Oil Corporation: Diesel accounts for 53 per cent of total subsidies. Oil companies are running a deficit of Rs. 6000 crore every month. We are committed to cutting petrol prices whenever possible. By reducing excise duty on petrol, we have brought down the gap between the prices between petrol and diesel. A narrow margin between petrol and diesel will be good for economy. If prices of petrol fall internationally, we will pass on the benefits.
RK Singh, CMD, Bharat Petroleum: This is a very good decision, and will certainly help oil companies and reduce the burden on the government in terms of subsidies. The reduction in the excise duty on petrol is good for us."
TK Ananth Kumar, CFO, Oil India: This is a welcome move and is very good for the oil industry.
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief: We want a rollback. I am shocked. The matter is very serious and sensitive. We can't compromise with the people's issue. We will discuss our plan of action in our party meeting. We know the economic crisis we are with the government but enough is enough. I will be most happy to withdraw support (from the UPA). If I withdraw support, then other parties will provide support to them. And, then ask why we left the UPA which led to its collapse. People had misunderstood us when we had withdrawn support earlier.
Digvijaya Singh, Congress General Secretary: We are not in favour of a hike in diesel prices to such an extent because it hurts the farmers and common man. At the same time, there are some unpleasant decisions that have to be taken by the government by taking an overall view of what is best for the country.
Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader: We have a massive loot of national resource like Coal on the one hand. The Government is now robbing the common man to pay for that loot. Strange are the policies of this Government which got elected in the name of the common man. They have demolished the kitchen of a lady who is to manage the house.
Yashwant Sinha, former finance minister and BJP leader: This is going to cause undue hardship. Prices are not under control. This will lead to overall inflation and mayhem in the economy. Need a system where the burden isn't transferred to the people in this hamhanded manner. If prices are to be raised, they should be raised in small dozes, not like by huge margins like Rs. 5.
Anant Kumar, BJP leader: It will be a direct hit on the common man and the farmers of the entire country. Cap on number of cylinders is highly condemnable.
Kamal Farooqi, leader, Samajwadi Party: The jump is too big and it seems to be a political one than an economic decision. Immediately after Parliament, they have done it. Will demand a rollback. Definitely, we will ask for some consideration to be given, we are concerned.
Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader (to NDTV): Decision ill-timed, will hurt the common man.
Gurudas Das Gupta, CPI leader: Never seen such a massive increase. It will stimulate inflation and aggravate the economic slowdown, which will cost jobs. We will protest in every way we can.
Prakash Karat, CPM leader (to NDTV): UPA government has taken the anti-people's step by raising diesel prices, no way can we accept it. Unless the govt rolls back the price hike, it will have to face the political consequences.
J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief: Centre is betraying the poor. The diesel price hike will lead to an overall price rise. The Centre should rollback the hike if its interested in people's welfare. Limiting the subsidised gas cylinders would affect poor and middle class households.
C Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (to a private TV channel): The government had taken the right decision, and that fiscal deficit had to be contained. An increase in diesel prices in India should avert a credit rating downgrade for the country.
RS Butola, CMD, Indian Oil Corporation: Diesel accounts for 53 per cent of total subsidies. Oil companies are running a deficit of Rs. 6000 crore every month. We are committed to cutting petrol prices whenever possible. By reducing excise duty on petrol, we have brought down the gap between the prices between petrol and diesel. A narrow margin between petrol and diesel will be good for economy. If prices of petrol fall internationally, we will pass on the benefits.
RK Singh, CMD, Bharat Petroleum: This is a very good decision, and will certainly help oil companies and reduce the burden on the government in terms of subsidies. The reduction in the excise duty on petrol is good for us."
TK Ananth Kumar, CFO, Oil India: This is a welcome move and is very good for the oil industry.
