Diesel Subsidy : Is It Desirable?

THE budget is on the envil. The most important issue is the subsidy on diesel. It is more pertinent because petrol has been deregulated; so why not diesel?

DIESEL is being subsidised  with the logic of interests of farmers. Is it ?

There are about 18 lakh tractors in the country, mostly being used by farmers. Is the figure large enough to bail out other commercial vehicles? The farmers who use tractors can't be small farmers as they can't afford it nor they need. Those who own, even if small ones, must be utilising for commercial purpose and earning in return.
The subsidy is being used by the rich who are using SUVs and other similar cars, most of which are politicians or rich, plus about 3.5 lakh phone towers and public transport vehicles.

EVERY farmer has a record of his land. Accordingly, use of diesel can be regulated by giving him the quota for his use. Similarly, public transport can be regulated by starting diesel services in the campus of each public transport depot. So why can't we deregulate diesel for others?

Pollution norms for diesel vehicles are more liberal compared to those for petrol and emissions from diesel vehicles are at least more than seven times permissible compared to petrol. Besides, the technological advances can create much more harm to human body than previously as smaller particulate matter can enter the body directly through the skin.

DEREGULATION  of of diesel, excluding public transport (besides providing additional subsidy to farmers for the loss, if any) may increase inflation by 1.5 to two percent cn several thousand crores of rupees being spent on health. Is finance minister listening?

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