Govt policy led to hike in fuel prices
The prices of petrol and diesel are increasing since the last month and half. Rupee value has hit the rock bottom. As a result of these two incidences, prices of essential items have been skyrocketing. Congress and left parties staged a nationwide bandh against this. Finance minister Arun Jaitley does not have a straight answer for this uncontrolled hike in fuel prices. He speaks about economy, GDP and fiscal health of the country as a response to questions on this issue. He says the country is in a good space as far as economy is concerned and gives out data on that topic.
But these numbers can never satiate the hunger of general public. Rupee has collapsed to unseen depths in the history of the country to less than Rs 70 against the dollar.In the past, RBI and Finance ministry would take steps to ensure rupee does not have a free fall against the dollar at regular intervals. But ever since liberal economic policy came into being, controlling measures cannot be initiated. Further collapse of rupee would turn the foreign exchange costlier. This would render a serious blow to the foreign exchange. And that in turn, would leave a very heavy burden on the economy of the country.
The hike and reckless run of fuel prices has a reason. They have been made control free and the rates of petrol and diesel hence are beyond anybody’s supervision. Modi govt’s policies regarding this issue are filled with massive loopholes. The govt raised excise duty on petrol and diesel when the rates of crude oil fell in 2014 global market. Between 2014 November and 2018 January, the excise duty has been hiked about 9 times. Petrol carries an excise duty of Rs 11.15 and diesel has Rs 13.47 excise duty component on that. Hence, even if the crude oil rates come down, the benefit of that will not be passed on to the general public.
The taxing system in India is a very complicated and unsavoury one. Value added tax would be applied in states above excise duties from the central government. Hence half the price of fuel goes as taxes. Though Rs 2 has been reduced from taxes in 2018 budget, it has not made much of a difference to the people. On one hand, Rs 2 tax has been reduced and a cess of Rs 8 has been added. About six years ago, crude oil had reached USD 140 per barrel, now it is $ 70 per barrel. With this, ideally, petrol and diesel rates should have been reduced. But why did it increase? The whole reason for this is the unfriendly policies of Narendra Modi govt. It is not an appropriate step for the government to have opened everything for liberalization, in the name of economy. Petrol, diesel and LPG rates must be controlled by the government. Along with this, the rupee value has to be controlled and checked. Else, the government will have to face the ire of the people.
Inflation and increase in prices of essential commodities, are the result of constantly increasing fuel prices. Around July 2018 and the corresponding time last year, index stood at 6.9% apart. Petrol and diesel rates have increased manifold after that. This has led to transportation and increased expenses in tractors and pumpsets. Farmers are in deep trouble. If the increase in excise duty is not withdrawn, situation may turn even worse. But the Modi govt is refusing to reduce the rates on the pretext of maintaining economic balance. This government gave tax rebates to the rich and affluent. And now it is snatching away savings from the poor and the helpless.
Excise duty is very high on the most essential needs of most people, the fuel. And this rate keeps changing everyday. Petrol and diesel come from foreign countries. Hence, we end up paying more say the union ministers. How come India was still charging high rates on this product even when international crude oil rates were high? The government needs to bring down excise duty on petrol, diesel and LPG. Frustration is piling up among people against these issues. Soon, the BJP party would be approaching people for its votes to win elections again. The government has to somehow find ways to reduce the excise duty and bring down prices.
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Rohit identifies Arshdeep, Hardik as key to India's chances in T20 World Cup
New Delhi (PTI): T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India's prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.
Rohit highlighted Arshdeep's effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.
"It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep's biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both," Rohit told JioHotstar.
"With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over."
Rohit added, "In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans.
"That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup."
India won the last edition of the tournament in the Americas under Rohit's captaincy, after which the dashing opener retired from the T20 format internationally.
Rohit also spoke about how Hardik's dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team.
"Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he's the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.
"Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik's role is critical in any format. We know his bowling. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His role is very important because he gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep."
Rohit said accommodating both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the playing XI is going to be a big challenge for the Indian team management.
"The biggest challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir will be how to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy together. If you want that combination, you can only do it if you play with two seamers, which is a big challenge.
"But honestly, I would be tempted to play both Varun and Kuldeep because they are wicket-takers and batters struggle to read them. I would surely pick them."
The former India skipper added, "Looking at the conditions in India, like in this New Zealand series, there is a lot of dew. In February and March, dew will be heavy across most parts as winter ends.
"Even in Mumbai, which doesn't get cold, there's still dew. I'd say 90-95 percent of grounds in India have dew. That's the challenge. What do the coach and captain think? Are they comfortable with three spinners? Then they can play spin, but there's no fixed rule. It depends on the team leaders' thinking."
Rohit also urged Kuldeep to stop appealing on every ball and to rely on the wicketkeeper's judgment for reviews.
"My one simple advice to Kuldeep is to just bowl quietly and go back to his mark. You can't appeal on every ball. This is basic. I keep saying it, but it still happens often. Even after telling him many times, he appeals at every chance. You have to use your head. Just because it touches the pad, it doesn't mean it's out every time. This isn't gully cricket.
"I get he is enthusiastic, but think of the team first. Each team only gets two DRS reviews. If I was the keeper, I could see where the ball pitched and if it was hitting, I could tell the bowler.
"But from covers or slip, you don't know the angle. You have to listen to what the keeper and bowler say. That's why when there's a review off Kuldeep's bowling, I don't look at him, I look at the keeper to decide."
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
