In a major and much awaited reform, the government de-regulated retail prices of diesel, which will now reflect international movement in oil prices. This development, which would bring an immediate respite of about Rs 3.50 per litre on diesel prices, marks the first reduction in diesel rates in over five years. Diesel rates were last cut by Rs 2 a litre to Rs 30.86 in January 29, 2009.
Also, the government decided to re-launch the direct benefit transfer scheme for cooking gas and link with the new bank account opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna and for those who lacked bank accounts could continue to enjoy the benefits of subsidized LPG cylinders. The programme would be implemented 'in a mission mode' between November 10 and January 1, 2015.
Diesel reduction comes right after the state elections and also at a time when international crude prices have been running at four year low. However, originally, petrol and diesel prices were deregulated in April 2002 when the NDA government was in power. But, administered pricing regime made a silent entry towards the end of NDA regime in the first quarter of 2004 when crude prices started inching up. It was back in January 2010, the previous government decided to raise diesel prices by up to 50 paisa a litre every month. Nevertheless, with the over-recovery or the profit of diesel climbing to Rs 3.56 per litre, the centre decided to take the guards off.
Deregulation would mean that the government and state-owned explorers including Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) from now on, would no longer would be subsidising diesel. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had budgeted Rs 63,400 crore for petroleum subsidies which was 25 per cent lower than previous fiscal.
Lastly, a cut in these prices leads to a lower subsidy bill and will eventually help the government cut taxes on petro products, which in turn, will help cushion the shocks when global crude prices rise again since India imports two-thirds of its energy need.
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