PM AND PRESIDENT NEGLECTING THEIR MAIN TASKS

INDO PAK RELATIONS
This refers to the statement of Mr. Shyam Saran, India's Foreign Secretary that PM is awaiting the right time to visit Pakistan.

It is strange that the Foreign Secretary finds that there is a marked improvement in the attitude of Pakistan. Whenever terrorists strike on public places all over India (latest: the attack on the RSS HQ, Nagpur), the Central and State Police declare that the Pakistan's Govt. Intelligence Agency ISI is involved. This means that Pakistan is not relenting in its cross border terrorism and is bent upon in creating unrest not only in Kashmir but throughout the India. Pakistan being a small and weak country, with its origin in India, may have fraternal sentimental attachments to India. Still, if it ventures on large scale All India destabilising operations, there is a strong reason to deduce that a few other Islamic countries are encouraging and instigating it. If all is well in our relationship with Pakistan, either the Foreign Secretary or the Police should be misleading with feigned information. Both cannot be true at the same time.

PM's keenness to visit Pakistan may be appreciated considering that such visits flash him on the tent of the global circus, as a Head of a Government. In India, he is not the SUN. He is Mr. SUNia. When he goes to foreign countries, he need not worry about TRS leaders meeting him or CPM leaders meeting him.

PETRO PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The problem is both the PM and the President are neglecting the tasks for which they are elected for. The PM for example, non-chalantly declares that he will not roll back he petro price hike. He just echos the demands of the petro Companies. True, there is a steep rise in the international crude prices. But the international price rises are not unexpected. The petro Companies should have and even might have foreseen the rise and booked adequate forward contracts to buy crude at stable prices. If they have foreseen and made forward arrangements for safe procuring crude, the prime question that arises is, are they not passing on the benefits to the Nation? The whole crude purchase operations of the Indian Petro Companies is shrouded in mystery.

NEED FOR TENDER AND AUCTION SYSTEM

If there are transparent arrangements like tender-cum-auction platforms inviting foreign crude suppliers to compete openly, at least people know what is happening. There may be syndicates of suppliers and jacking up of prices. Yet, the nation will know who is doing what.

ARE THERE KICKBACKS?

Now, nobody knows, the nature of contracts entered into by Indian Petro Companies with foreign suppliers? Have there been any commissions and kickbacks? Does the PM scrutinise the crude purchase contracts or get them examined by experts? Does the President ever make any passing enquiry about the crude purchase arrangements such as who are the major supplying Companies, for what periods and at what prices the contracts have been made?

The problem is, after a scam is announced by a foreign news agency, every dignitary claims that he is not aware or that he has not been sufficiently appraised or that Mr. X has misled him. Efforts are made to find scapegoats. Why not the PM and the President spare some time for the Petro deals analyses? The appointment of the CEOs of the Public Sector Petro Companies also does not get adequate media attention. Of course, the CEOs may be Technical Experts in the field of Oil Drilling and Refining. But do they have enough experience in handling Oil Purchases?
Who aid them and advise them? Is there any watch on the personal properties of the CEOs, Purchase Managers, Advisers and the Consultants?

It will be apt that the Government publishes a white paper on the movement of international crude prices with details of crude purchased at old contracted prices and the new market prices.

BONANZA FOR STATES

The PM and the Petroleum Minister appeal to the States to reduce the Sales Tax on petro products and pass on the benefits to consumers so that the increase in petro prices is offset by the reduced taxes. This no State Govt. will accept. Every petro price increase is a God sent bonanza for them.

BEHAVIOUR OF ANDHRA PRADESH

AP charges nearly 35% tax. This type of taxes did not prevail during the rule of Sultans, Moghuls, or the Old Reddy Kings. The modern Reddy kings will say "If we pity the people and reduce the Sales Tax, who will pity us? We have to maintain our Royal Palaces."

The AP State Govt. will at least spare the APSRTC and other public transport vehicles from the rise in the tax. If people shift to mass public transport, particularly the RTC buses, it goes a long way in checking pollution and traffic congestion. Private cars need to be discouraged. Rising the Sales Tax on new cars sold is worth examining.

CONCLUSION

The Indian Citizens both the silent and the vociferous lot ought to appeal to the PM: "PL. SET RIGHT HOME FIRST. PAKISTAN CAN BE VISITED LATER."