Mangaluru, September 9: Former union finance minister and senior Congress leader Janardhana Poojary said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take steps to slash fuel prices which were sky-rocketed due to illegal storage of petroleum products in the country.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Poojary said that those who store petrol and diesel illegally should be jailed. If the government took such a step, then the price would be automatically reduced, he said.

The Congress which has given bandh call should handle its impact. The Supreme Court has already made it clear that those who call for bandh should bear the loss caused due to bandh. It was very easy for both the Congress and BJP to give bandh calls. But who would compensate the loss worth thousands of crores revenue? If a case was filed against it, no one could escape from it, he said.

When he was the Union Finance Minister, he had tried to minimize the central excise duty. But later, he understood that it was his mistake. It was not right to slash the cess of the state on fuel, he said.

‘Ready to contest if ticket is given’

If the Congress high command assured him the ticket for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, he would contest the poll. He might contest the election or might not, Poojary said.



Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): When Sanjiv Suryavanshi sold his farm land to fund his 10-year-old son Vaibhav's cricketing aspirations, little did he know that within three years the boy would be scripting history.

During the second and final day of the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Vaibhav, at 13 years and eight months, became the youngest cricketer ever to be picked by a franchise as Rajasthan Royals bought him for Rs 1.10 crore.

Sanjiv, who owned farm land in his native Motipur village which is 15kms from Samastipur town in Bihar, was lost for words.

"Woh ab sirf humra bituwa nahi pura Bihar ka bituwa hai (He is not just my son now but entire Bihar's son)," Sanjiv told PTI over phone as his son is currently in Dubai for the U-19 Asia Cup.

"My son has worked hard. At the age of 8 years, he excelled at U-16 district trials. I would take him for his cricket coaching to Samastipur and then take him back," he recalled the days of hardships.

So were his finances in place as cricket is an investment?

"Not just investment, it's big investment. Aapko kya bataye humne toh apna zameen tak bech diya. Abhi bhi halat pura sudhra nahi (I have sold my land. Financial issues are still there)."

When asked about the controversies regarding Vaibhav's actual age which many believe is 15 years, the father was quick to clarify.

"When he was 8 and half years old he first appeared for BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don't fear anyone. He can again undergo age test," he sounded defiant.

Sanjiv said that Bihar Cricket Association president Rakesh Tiwary's "blessings" have always helped Vaibhav in his journey.

"Rakesh ji ka ashirwaad raha hai bahoot (Rakesh ji's blessings are there)."

His base price in the auction was Rs. 30 lakh and Delhi Capitals made the opening bid. RR entered the fray at Rs. 35 lakh and eventually got the better of DC to get the player on board.

So how did this bidding war happened?

"Rajasthan Royals had called him for trials in Nagpur. Vikram Rathour sir (batting coach) gave a match situation where he had to score 17 in an over. Bituwa ne 3 chakka mara. Trials mein aat chakka aur char chauwaa mara (He smashed three sixes. At trials, he hit eight sixes and four fours)," the father claimed proudly.

For a 13-year-old, it can be very difficult to understand what it means to earn a crore. So how does he plan to keep his young son away from monetary discussions?

"He just wants to play cricket and nothing else. A few years back he loved Doremon, not anymore," Sanjiv said.


BCA lauds selection

=============

BCA president Tiwary was all praise for the prodigy after his 1.10 crore bid for RR.

"Vaibhav Suryavanshi's incredible achievement at such a young age fills us with immense pride," Tiwary said in a statement.

"His journey from Bihar to the IPL is a reflection of his talent, hard work, and determination. The Bihar Cricket Association has always believed in nurturing young talent, and Vaibhav's success highlights the cricketing potential in our state.

"We are confident he will continue to shine and inspire aspiring cricketers across Bihar and beyond. I congratulate Vaibhav and his family."