By Our Reporter
SHILLONG:The “Gregorian” rising prices of fuel and its effect upon essential commodities has taken a toll on the commoners. And with the new budget coming into effect in April it has been noticed that consumers have to spend more now than earlier.
Speaking to The Shillong Times a courier firm executive said, “What type of budget is this when a person is taxed more for buying essential commodities and less for electronic items.” He is echoed by a retired government employee who said that the union government is merciless while hiking the prices of fuel.
“How many times has the UPA government increased the price of fuel after they came to power? Is it not uncountable,” he said adding that he has no other choice left but to sell off his car.
The rising prices of fuel has also affected family budget of many householders. “Now all my earning is spent on my children’s education and ration. There is no scope for any savings,” said a bank clerk. A messenger of a government establishment here said that he has stopped saving for the last six months now due to rising prices of essentials. “I have a daughter who is attaining the age of marriage beside my son is going to college. Education is expensive these days but none can deny it. This is a very difficult time,” he said.
An employee of a telecom associate said that things are getting unbearable and the most affected are the middle class. “The middle class like us are squeezed in the present scenario as they are nowhere,” he said. A daily wager from Motphran said that porters like him who earn everyday are eyeing starvation. “We have no place as there are days when my family has to go without food. It all depends on how well I earn in a day,” he said.
Interestingly a college lecturer said that the citizens of India’s neighbors, such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Burma and Nepal are not affected by price rise. “It is clearly evident that prices of fuel and other essential commodities in these nations have not changed. Then what is the global fuel price that our finance minister is talking about,” he questioned.
A college student said that her pocket money has been reduced by her mother. her son out of a reputed private school in the city and enrolled him in a government run school. “Family budget is hugely affected as affordability is getting nullified. Now, we go out on trip once in 2/3 years besides savings is mostly forced,” she said. A homemaker said that after paying her milkman, maid, electricity, cable, mobile, house rent and other expenses she is left with nothing to quench her other desires.
