Fuel supply: A joker’s cry

Fuel supply: A joker’s cry
Reduction of load shedding this year is the task wherein the present Government can earn the best public approval, even more than the Mustang vehicle for me. Widening road, another attractive work,  can be something controversial. It went smooth as long as the task was one of ‘destruction’. After that I could not see any development. Unless constructed, widening of roads shall remain incomplete.
Roads at New Baneshwor or roads around Kupondole, construction could not catch the speed of destruction. But the most criticized part of this government is in creation of hindrances on smooth supply of petroleum products. The delay in decision making process has not only made the negative impression on Bhattarai-led Government, but has equally contributed in making negative image of Dr. Bhattarai. The charm that existed among youths for Bhattarai led Government by now seems to be completely negative. The increment in the price once again is yet another issue!
It is understandable that Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) determines the quotas to be exported to other countries. It also is understandable that petroleum products are scarce products. But that can never be excuse in today’s age, because at the time when all of our neighboring countries are not having any sort of troubles in management of the fuel supply management, it would be disgusting to hear that. Let other be kept far aside, we need not to forget that Indian Government is able to make smooth supply of petroleum products to such massive population again. Had there been problem between Nepal and India in any import and export equations, there probably would be scarcity of salts as well. But salt is easily available in Nepal. So making silly excuse cannot be accepted at all. Now, the Government explains it is in loss. If so, it needs to explain the expense of the profit it earned earlier through various means like heavy tax policy on import of vehicles.
It has always been matter of jealously to compare the vehicles prices from Nepal to others. Again, there can be a loss, but the indicated data showing increment in number of Pumps should not be forgotten either. Does not this show how Petrol Pumps are in profit and that Government is in loss? And how can that all be possible for the people employed in this sector to be in profit? Above all, Government needs to play the role of parents when it comes to caring for its citizens.
There can be various calculations that could show that citizens are paying more than required for the petroleum products and in spite of that, they are deprived of quality. Peoples living in Terai region, who sometimes go across the border and get their tanks filled with petrol’s realize the quality and the price there. The dual tax policy in petroleum products that again includes VAT is the most dissatisfying part in entire story. Yes, the kitchen’s utensils need not to be washed in many houses these days due to shortage of gas. Is this the Nepal that these peoples before Constitution Assembly showed the hope of? Or do they again need the order from the honorable Supreme Court to ensure smooth supply of petrol and gas in Nepal? And should the peoples rather expect from the Supreme Court to make decision instead of Government? Because  gradually, peoples are expecting from the orders from Court as the hopes from government are fading and there is no much ground for expecting anything positive from the current government.
Nepal is in transition phase and it requires time! The common answer of PM, while facing peoples, will no longer be digested. Frankly speaking, Nepalese people wants electricity, proper water supply and gas more than constitution right now. And if the Government cannot provide these three basic needs, it would be better for them to hand over these sectors to private ownership, or welcome private competitor remembering the wise thing done with NTC.
Now, for the recent shortage of Petroleum products, Dr. Bhattarai himself is responsible. Yes, he took the action and agreed to provide one third discount to the students. But how? And when? Where has the implementation of Red and Blue Gas Cylinder gone? Are they limited simply upon the talks? Or is the PM so busy in viewing oranges that he forgets the trouble citizens are facing here in capital.
 The question seems taking time. Every house has at least one student in it. That clearly means every house will be getting discounts on gas! Again, if Government decides to implement the action for only Government Colleges, there are other struggling students who are financially weak than Government colleges, and would be deprived of it. Let us not forget the fact that a manager of certain firm can be student studying MBS at public campus, and the son of poor family, who is having tough time in Kathmandu managing his financial budget can be the student of Private college. So what sort of initiation will learn PM take is yet to be seen.
 I have heard hotel owner expressing his problem to shut down his business just because of the shortage of cooking gas. His words expressing the willingness to pay thousand more for a cylinder, but failing to procure one in fact made me feel the sad situation of the country. The emergence of dual price policy for business purpose and house hold purpose was also brought as rumor with the name of Blue and Red cylinder. So what is to be done? Peoples require a quick reply. A hungry stomach will does not harp the rhetoric of Nationalism for sure! And personally, even I need a cylinder of gas!
I don’t think my gas will last for more than a month now, and I am scared what after then? I seriously want a cylinder of gas more than constitution what do you want, friends?
dwaipayan.regmi@gmail.com



Published in The New Paper 3rd April 2012