Prices of diesel should be varied as per end consumer: ASSOCHAM

08 May 2012 Evaluate

Prices of diesel should be varied as per the end consumer and efforts should be made for an early creation of the fuel-pipeline-grid, as per the industry body ASSOCHAM. It is of the view that prices of diesel should be deregulated in a phased manner where a full market price is charged for large cars and luxury buses whereas the price is nominal for others.

It is also of the opinion that it is unfair when users of luxury vehicles get diesel fuel at the same subsidised rate as those who drive small and medium sized cars. Further, small farmers should be shielded from the price rise at least for the time being and prices for them should be changed gradually. It has also been suggested that the government should encourage replacing old vehicles, especially trucks, modern trailers with high efficiency engines.

The industry body is not in the favour of alternate solution of decreasing the taxes on fuel to make it cheaper as it feels that such a move will lower the revenues of the government substantially. This will further lead to either cutting down government’s development expenditure or raising the level of deficit financing. Either option goes against the objective of inclusive growth.

A detailed study by the chamber on diesel use has pointed out that use of high capacity trucks, paving of all major roads with cement and removal of administrative impediments to smooth highway movement of trucks will itself ensure large scale saving of diesel for trucks. It would also save the use of diesel in goods transportation and buses which would decrease the higher costs transport bodies would have to incur when diesel prices are aligned with the market price. 

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