MY VIEWS IN TIMES OF INDIA ON OIL PRICE HIKE & ON ROLE OF CAG

Times Of India story on 15.11.12 : Petrol to be cheaper by Rs 0.95 per litre from midnight

Comments of MILAN K SINHA (PATNA)   
15 Nov, 2012 08:30 PM

    If we see the prices of not only Petrol but also Diesel and Cooking Gas in the market, we don't find the rational of either increasing the price or reducing the price in the name of varying crude oil price in international market now and then. Every one must be knowing that more than 40% of the ruling market price of petrol is due to central excise duty and sales tax of respective state governments. Due to fiscal mismanagement both at central and state level, no government talks of cutting its tax rate on petrol and hence find the most convenient route of passing the burden solely on the consumer. But one state is found to be an exception in this regard. Yes, the state of Goa slashed sales tax dramatically in recent months - a few months ago, it cut nearly its entire tax on petrol, making the fuel cheaper by Rs 11 per litre. If that be the case, why other states under the leadership of socalled progressive chief ministers could not really follow Goa’s example. Rather, they kept on befooling its masses by protesting only against the centre's policy on the subject. We know that the country imports 80% of its oil needs and still the policy makers and power that be are doing almost nothing worthwhile to reduce the growing dependence by initiating many known measures to cut oil consumption in the country. Let us hope to have some reasonable reduction in oil prices in future for the benefit of common man by initiating people friendly steps.

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Times Of India story on 15.11.12 : Multi-member CAG plan still on table

Comments of MILAN K SINHA (PATNA)   
15 Nov, 2012 03:12 PM

   I fail to understand the political strategy of the central govt. to engage itself in controversies like this. Can any body complain against CAG & his team of not complying with the set norms of audit process being undertaken? If not, then why this hue and cry? Instead of seeing the writing on the wall about its political future in next Loksabha elections, the major coalition party in UPA -II and its enlightened brigade of managers are trying to damage, of course unsuccessfully, the credibility of such important institutions like CAG. The Auditor in any set up is like a family doctor who tells any thing and everything for the well being of that person which must be encouraged and appreciated by all right thinking nationalist person/party. For any progressive government or corporate entity, the stronger and more transparent the audit system is, the more soundly performing the operational systems will be. Then, the chances of bigger scams like 2G, Commonwealth, Coalgate and the likes will be lesser in number & magnitude and also detectable fast. So, any attempt by any political party or any government to weaken such organisations will be self suicidal as in the public domain it will definitely be seen as done with some vested interest. All opposition parties, big & small alike, in the country must protest loudly against any such ill- motivated move by the Govt., in order to stop further erosion in the functioning of democratic institutions in coming days.

                                                  Will meet again with Open Mind. All the Best.