Past the assembly poll results in 5 states, people of India are facing a very big challenge of fuel price hike, which is already touching 110 per litre for petrol in a few states and is likely to increase in coming few weeks. In this scenario, adulteration in fuel stations is more haunting than the price hike.
In recent years, we have seen a major price hike in fuel prices, although adulteration and alteration of fuel are the concerns of the hour. It causes major harm to the vehicle, as well as makes a hole in our pockets. If we pass through a local fuel station, we see a greater number of 2-wheelers than 4-wheelers, which leads us to make the instant observation that middle-class families are adversely affected by adulteration. The mixing of foreign particles in the fuel can even be observed in some of the big metropolitan areas.
With the mileage already out of the scene, these temperings are also affecting the vehicle’s life drastically. It all adds up to car service costs, insurance costs, and maintenance costs, which leads people to spend about 25% of their total income on petrol and the risk coverage that is happening due to the poor quality of fuel.
India’s legislative enactments ensure that an average person gets what he pays for. To fulfill this mandate, we have the Petroleum Rules of 2002, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulator Board Act of 2006, the Consumer Protection Act of 2006, and the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.
These laws assure the citizens of the quality and standard of fuel that they pay for. Yet, with regular checks from different investigating commissions, the purity of fuel still lies in a questionable state.
According to the government guidelines, a person who doubts quantity vis-à-vis quality can also check with that particular fuel station of the two mentioned. And yet, one can face arrogance from the fuel station in-charges. In recent years, taxation on fuel prices has also increased drastically. Hence, the retailers are practicing such atrocities to increase their profit margin. These taxations are increasing due to the geopolitical unrest that is leading to an exponential hike in the price of crude oil. These global shifts are pushing India’s domestic price of fuel by a margin of as great as 15 to 25 INR.
However, these unprecedented situations can be tackled with proper coordination. As we know, the pandemic has caused a shortage in demand for fuel, and many oil giants have faced misery. And as this has become the new normal, we are facing a rise in demand, a fall in supply, and the utmost price hikes on almost every kind of fuel.
The agencies handling departments like petroleum as well as taxation should mend their differences, and they should come together to look at the bigger picture and try to draw a solution for such instances. Surely these are hard times, and a developing nation such as India should be thinking of a solution to implement and not be seeking the excuses associated with the cause. It is high time.
About the Author
Ahmed Fahadullah is pursuing his M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University. He loves experimenting with essential elements. Apart from his experiments and writing, he loves equestrian as a sport. You can reach him at ahmedfahadullah996@gmail.com
Umar Mustafa is pursuing MBA (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS) from Aligarh Muslim University. He is an avid reader and a passionate horseback rider. You can reach him at umarmustafa60366@gmail.com
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