Motorists at a local gas station in Dimapur (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 2
With the rise in international oil prices and the depreciation of the India Rupee, petrol prices in the country have been hiked by Rs 1.40 since the start of this month. With the opposition BJP calling it a “betrayal”, The Morung Express had the chance to get reactions from some everyday people in the state.
At a local gas station, Meren Jamir who was on his way to Kohima stated that “a rupee per liter might seem inconsequential, but when you take into consideration the fact that I have to travel everyday in a car; it amounts to quiet a lot.”
Hetoka, another motorist said that the regular increase in fuel prices has made him want to use more of public transportation. Another motorist commented that public transportation would need to improve a lot for him to even think about moving around in a bus.
Chubala Ao, a housewife states, “It is tough as it is to manage the household with my husband’s limited salary.” She adds that it would get even tougher for the family with the regular increases in fuel prices. Her husband adds that things would have been fine if his salary was given a hike in proportion to the hike in prices of other commodities.
Kavi, who has to travel everyday in an autorikshaw expressed her consternation at the “probable hike in auto fares.”
A shopkeeper in the Duncan area exclaims, “if only there were alternatives to petrol.” On being informed about the ongoing research on alternative sources of fuel, he smiled and stated, “That will take a lifetime. I am sure it will be expensive and plus we will be long dead when that alternative fuel reaches us. Maybe the government can do more for this.”
It is not new to come up with a discussion of fuel price hikes while talking about the economy. However, it must be noted that areas like public transportation, environmental sustainability, alternative fuels, personal income etc are all linked to the aforementioned issue.
The shopkeeper from Duncan might have nailed a point while expressing his desire for the government to speed up research and development on cheap alternative fuels. The Indian government’s policy on this issue has been apathetic to put it mildly.
However, it is fascinating to note that a few everyday people talking about price hikes can bring about more compelling issues on the economy, infrastructure and scientific policies than most our politicians seem to do.
