LAHORE (Dunya News) – It is yet to see how the benefit of this low fuel price trickles down to the masses. It is not easy to bring down the fares and rates of edibles increased in line with the previous prices of petroleum products.
It is a challenge for the government to provide the consumers with relief following the big reduction in fuel prices.
Inflation-riddled consumers get relief with reduction in the prices of petroleum products as the federal government slashed petrol price by Rs15.45 and diesel Rs7.88 per litre for the next 15 days.
Now the new prices stand as petrol Rs 273.10 and diesel Rs 274.08per litre, respectively.
This phenomenal decrease in the prices of petroleum took place following the reduction of prices in international market.
First, this decrease in fuel price is for 15 days and after this period the government will readjust the fuel price – it may be upward or downward – no one knows.
Secondly, the government normally does not issue orders to the authorities concerned to ask the sellers to bring down the prices of edibles after decrease in fuel prices because it knows this decrease is temporary.
People’s reaction to the big reduction
People have given a mixed reaction to the hike. Many people are not so optimistic about economic prosperity with the view that rupee depreciation is the mail hurdle in the way of their wellbeing.
Talking to Dunya News, a railway passenger said due to devaluation of rupee against dollar, the fuel price was not reduced in proportion with the reduction of fuel price in international market.
“Even then something is better than nothing. I came to railway station to catch a train for Karachi. When I went to the ticket counter to purchase a ticket, but they charged me the same price as they did ten days ago which means they have not reduced their fares despite decreasing of diesel price,”the Karachi-bound passenger said.
Talking to Dunya News, another passenger said now most of the trains are run by the private sector, and they often don’t bother to cut fares after the reduction of fuel prices.
A citizen said he was expecting better economic condition in the country.
“I believe something is better than nothing. If the petroleum had further increased, what we could have done. So, let’s hope for the best. I see the federal and provincial governments are establishing their writ and in one or two days you will see reduced prices of edibles and fares,” he said while talking to Dunya News.
“This is a transitory relief. I often experience when fuel prices are slashed, power tariffs are hiked. In India petroleum prices are very low. At least, in Pakistan petrol price should be Rs150 per litre,” a consumer told Dunya News.
A consumer said the prices of milk and yogurt have not been reduced after a phenomenal reduction in petroleum prices. He said he remembered that milkmen had increased the prices of their products taking plea that the prices of petroleum had increased.
“But now they are not willing to decrease the prices of their items despite the decrease in the prices of petroleum. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure benefit of low prices of fuel to the consumers,” he said.