On the upswing of ball freezing
temperature, this November month is crazy in many ways. In the eve of Birth
Anniversary of Fourth Druk Gyalpo, government has announced a huge reduction of
the price of petrol and diesel. The prerogative was clear to commemorate the
Birth Anniversary of His Majesty. But, I feel this is honestly not the right
way to celebrate King's birthday.
How a government can float the price of
any commodities that is below the actual imported price?
According to some media outlet, India
revise the prices of petrol and diesel on daily basis. Daily rise and fall of
the petroleum prices is mainly due to shift in currency exchange rate and this
in turn helps public in maintaining actual profit in the other commodities.
Perhaps, it save and control people's money outflow. It keep everyone fit on
the supply and demand of commodities. It also keep laws and order in place.
After all money matters more than anything. Several study have shown that such
system in place have benefited larger public. Since, the prices of other
commodity depends directly upon the petroleum prices. But, not in
BHUTAN.
In Bhutan even if the dollar exchange
rate falls down, the price of commodities remains the same. I find this rather a
chance for our greedy shopkeepers to give new price of their shop items in
the name of petroleum product price shooting up every second. I can't remember
our shopkeeper selling the commodities at a lower rate so far. When was the
last time our government have announced that the prices of rice and oil have
gone done by 5%? Or is it that our shopkeeper are too stingy and unkind? Or are
they above the national law? Actually we have very best principles and laws in
place. Failing in monitoring could be the only reason for all this unnecessary
hoard of price escalation. If monitoring would have happened intensely and humanly we would have enjoyed the better fall in price of other
commodities by this time. This is a serious matter to bring out for discussion with our
Government and concern agency now.
I do a usual week shopping from one
particular shop. I started this customary merchandise long time back in
2013. I became quite close with them over the years. I even loan some cash and
credit some salt when I run out of my bank balance. But, every time I make a
visit to buy some essential goods they remind me of the fuel prices getting
higher overnight and they sometime they levy me extra charges indirectly
without my notice. I know their clear motives but I never say it. I don't want
to embarrass them. I don't have any option than to visit again and
shop some goods for succeeding week. I have been a constant victim of petroleum
price being rise by inch and commodity prices by double fold. Is this fair? Where
are our policy makers, market monitoring officers and other concern
agency?
But, looking at yesterday's crazy news
on the massive reduction of petrol and diesel prices, I am thoroughly relieved for now. However, it equally worries me for its sustainability. For me the latest fuel prices is admirable, who not only had to survive their family with the honest salary but
also to fuel the vehicle with sky rocketing fuel price in the past. Thank God! I am safe for now.
It is double good for people like me.
Since, almost Nu. 10.00 per litre can be used for other purposes and who knows
sometime the same amount can also go for long term savings. I simple tense, it
can generate better profit to my self, family and country at large. If such can
also happens for other necessary commodities, our people around can enjoy
bountiful cash and luxury like any other rich people.
But, this massive reduction of the
petrol and diesel prices have given me a very narrow thinking of a big
political game being played by both Bhutan Government and Government of India.
This should have happened rather in other ways, like Government should have
done it inch-by-inch and not at a go. Such reduction must have happened on
other very needful and essential life surviving elements like Rice and Oil.
Since, almost 90% of our people depends upon imported polished rice and refined oil from
neighboring country. If such is the concern, why this has not happened five
years before.
However, it is completely shameful to
celebrate Birthday of His Majesty like this. Our Monarch is not a commodity. Whatever maybe the game or cause King's birthday cannot be played with commodity price. The government
should have done it with something related to environment if they really wanted
to celebrate King's birthday and ease the burden to public or onto something more prominent than the price of
a commodity. So, in this way our policy makers are not looking for long term goals and
aspiration. Moreover, government is not being mercy on people with this
particular move. It will only going to benefit people with many cars and the construction company and not the ordinary people.
However, I feel this time the choice to mark 62nd Birth
Anniversary of Great Fourth was completely outlandish, shabby, unforgivable and
shameful.
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