It is quite intriguing that the people’s representatives in J&K believe in selective criticism as there are some who protest over small increase in petrol and diesel prices, and transport fare but prefer to go in state of hibernation when it comes to substantial hike in LPG prices, used as household fuel because the entities responsible for these hikes are different.
Reportedly, BJP legislator from Marh Surinder Kumar Bhagat rode a bicycle to reach Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to protest the fuel price and e-bus fare hikes by the National Conference-led Government. The MLA accused the UT dispensation of misleading the public by announcing free bus rides for women starting April 1, while simultaneously increasing petrol price by Rs 1 per litre, diesel price by Rs 2 and e-bus fares by 7 per cent.
His assertion that local government being hypocritical has made the public fool through this gamut of increasing rates of different entities on one hand and announcing freebies for women folk on the other seems right and his protest gave an idea that this particular legislator cares for the people. But unfortunately the central government, manned by the party of the same MLA, has announced an increase of Rs 50 per cylinder of LPG and Rs 2 hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel, a day following his protest.
Although, the concerned minister in the Centre has said that the aforesaid hike in excise duty wouldn’t change the price of these two entities because the increase will be adjusted against the price cut that was warranted because of falling international oil prices, isn’t it necessary for the aforesaid MLA to also protest such a huge increase in price of LPG by the government run by his own party and also the hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel because if his party’s government has not levied this extra duty, the impact of the UT’s tax on petrol and diesel prices would have been neutralized automatically.
If the MLA Marh remains mum over the fuel hike by centre, contrary to his stand in J&K, then it is difficult to say who the big hypocrite is— the NC Government in J&K or the MLA, who reached the Assembly on a bicycle?
As the people across the country have been enlightened especially after the media revolution, therefore political representatives should act in a more prudent manner to ensure that their actions remain principally justified as the partisan behaviour will no longer impress the public, which has turned astute and judicious, after knowing the facts and figures impeccably due to availability of the same on various platforms.
