There is a strong feeling among the masses that the prices of petroleum products in India have a direct link with political expediency of the ruling party and quite often with the election seasons. This time it has reflections out of the ensuing Lok Sabha and some state assembly polls. It belies the official claims that the fuel prices have a direct relationship with the international petroleum prices and some other factors. There is no mystery now in the fact that whenever there is election time whether in states or centre, the prices of petroleum witness short or long term hiatus making it definite that polls in the country are the deciding factor and rest everything is an alibi or excuse to cover up things.
Reportedly, government data had revealed that petrol, diesel, LPG and other petroleum products' prices are being kept unchanged for weeks and sometimes months before elections, and the changes are allowed soon after the completion of the voting exercise giving a clue to those who wanted to analyze things that more or less, the control of fuel prices doesn't depend on the factors which came to fore in 2017, rather the government has kept the key to be in charge of the same as can be gauged by the instances in the recent past with regard to changes made to the aforesaid rates before and after the polls.
Reports in public domain have averred that the data from the concerned quarters in the Petroleum Ministry has testified that fuel prices are controlled by the people sitting at helm looking at poll seasons and relaxed once elections are over. This implies that the people of the country are being dodged again and again, who feel that they are paying the fuel prices all the time as per the formula made public by the government.
Considering this prevailing situation, the concept of “One Nation, One Election” seems to be an unfavorable choice for the people. This is because it would provide the government with an extended window of opportunity to increase fuel prices, as the significance of election timing would diminish. During non-election periods, the government would potentially have greater leeway to set petroleum prices at their discretion.
It is imperative to scrutinize the control exerted over fuel prices in India, and demand greater transparency and accountability from our elected representatives. The integrity of our democracy and the economic well-being of our citizens must not be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. The citizens of India deserve a fair and impartial pricing mechanism for essential commodities like petroleum, one that is free from the influence of political expediency and electoral cycles. It is incumbent upon policymakers to ensure that the interests of the people are safeguarded, irrespective of the political calendar, to foster a more equitable and just society for all.
