In Bangalore, because of additional local taxes, the burden on the consumer is much more. Petrol will cost Rs 53+ diesel Rs 39+. And yesterday night itself, people where filling up their tanks, creating artificial shortage and marketeers were hoarding it.
Ok it's really hard. But I don't think people in Bangalore are so poor that they can't afford to pay the extra amount. Look at the malls, pubs, restaurants: they are all overflowing with people. People are paying huge amounts of money and eating and drinking outside as if nothing is available at home!
Then, look at the sort of cars people have. One guy even told me he upgrades his car every 3 years. See, people have money. These are the people who are cribbing! Shame!
Indians have long been pampered. The rich Indians, that is. We have still not got out of the spoonfeeding culture. Rich just blow up the money for themselves but when govt asks for a bit, for the development of the society, the rich suddenly have problem. They have enough money to waste, but no money for the society's welfare.
This spoonfeeding culture has also bread lot of cynicism. If we need good quality public life, people have to be ready to pay for the benefits. The govt subsidies have to go. Let them be there, only for the really poor and the needy.
It's a good idea for the govt to remove the subsidy on petroleum products. The money saved can be used for real welfare measures.
Let us all -- rich, poor or whoever -- pay for the benefits comforts we enjoy. Free lunches are ok as a token one-off gesture. Doesn't help in the long run. This is the only way our city, our state and our country will develop.
