PM hints at rise in fuel prices, cites import bill

April 29, 2012

Manmohan

Bathinda (Punjab), April 29: Despite key Congress allies opposing deregulation of diesel prices, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday stressed the need to rationalize fuel prices as spiralling cost of international crude severely impacts India's import bill.

Inaugurating a nine-million tonne a year refinery here, the PM said imports account for about 80% of India's crude supplies and "we need to rationalize prices and at the same time ensure that the poor and needy are shielded from the effects of such rationalization."

Despite his caveat on protecting the vulnerable, Singh's remarks point to likely increases in petrol and diesel prices if he does bite the bullet, despite the Nationalist Congress Party and the Trinamool Congress opposing the "in principle" decision to deregulate diesel prices.

The voluble allies have promised to protest the move with the NCP planning rallies in Delhi and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee instructing party MPs to voice the party's opposition. Trinamool parliamentary party leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay has said the party will not support diesel price deregulation.

Fuel subsidy accounted for 3.4% of government spending amounting to Rs 41,000 crore in 2010-11, and the forecast for international crude prices indicates costs will remain high. Under recoveries of oil companies amounted to Rs 138,406 crore in the financial year 2011-12. With the government straining to control the fiscal deficit, the pressure to increase fuel prices is growing.

PM tests ground for fuel hike

The Prime Minister on Saturday may have hinted at the need to rationalize fuel prices but key allies like Trinamool and NCP are unlikely to accept such a move. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, given her "pro-people" stance - she even sacked her own railway minister to stymie a bid to raise rail fares - will certainly not support a hike in fuel prices. It remains to be seen if she will put her foot down or limit herself to protests. If NCP and TMC team up they can create a serious hurdle for the government and PM's comments seem intended to test the waters.

Besides allies, opposition groups are certain to criticize fuel hikes on the ground that they add to the burden on the aam aadmi and spur inflation.

The PM said "the challenges we face on the energy front are formidable. We need adequate supplies of energy at affordable prices. Domestic sources of crude oil and gas are inadequate to meet the growing demands of our rapidly expanding economy."

Suggesting that the oil subsidy bill was getting out of hand, Singh said "In order to insulate the common man from rising oil prices, the government shoulders a sizeable portion of the burden by pricing diesel, kerosene and domestic LPG below their market prices."

"We need to adopt better technology and consumers should be made aware of the benefits of fuel conservation," said the PM.

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News Network
February 27,2020

New Delhi, Feb 27: An Indian Air Force aircraft on Thursday evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan.

The C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was sent to Wuhan on Wednesday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in China.

On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people, including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar.

Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two Air India flights.

“In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China, in these three flights,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

On the medical supplies delivered by India to China, the MEA said they would help augment the country’s efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak which had been declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.

“The assistance is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year,” it said.

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News Network
June 8,2020

Panaji (Goa)/Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bengaluru(Karnataka)/New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): With the government allowing the re-opening of restaurants and eateries from Monday, these establishments re-opened across several states on Monday including in Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, with necessary precautions in place amid COVID-19 crisis.

Restaurants reopened in Panaji today after relaxations in lockdown.

Speaking to ANI, Goa Hotel and Restaurant Association President, Gaurish Dhond said, "We expect that not more than 25 per cent of restaurants will reopen because our labour force is dependent upon migrant workers who have gone to their homes".

"Every guest will be checked with a thermal gun, we will provide them with a sanitizer and a digital menu most probably. We would like to request our customers to pay online. Residential hotels are also allowed to operate and guidelines have been issued for them," he added.

Bars are not allowed to operate, he added.

While religious places across the country were thrown open today, worship places continued to remain closed in Goa till June 30.

In Bhopal restaurants opened but with fewer customers venturing to eat outside.

Speaking to ANI, C Kumaran, Manager, India Coffee House, New Market said, "We will conduct a temperature check for customers at the entry point. Then the customers will have to wash and sanitize their hands only then they will be allowed to sit inside. Only two persons will be allowed to sit on a four-seat table."

"This restaurant has a seating capacity of around 120 persons which has now been reduced to 50. Even in the kitchen, staff capacity has been reduced to 50 per cent," he added.

Meanwhile, malls re-opened in Bengaluru today, people along with staff members were allowed to enter inside Garuda Mall while maintaining social distancing.

"As per government norms, we are following all the preventive measures. Staff and other people are being sanitized and then only allowed inside the mall. The mall has been deep cleaned. People entering the mall should have Aarogya Setu App installed in their mobile phones if not, they will be sent back," said John Joseph, Manager, Garuda Mall.

Restaurants re-opened in the national capital as Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced yesterday that all restaurants and malls are allowed to resume operations from today.

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News Network
May 9,2020

Thrissur, May 9: Five people were arrested for allegedly conducting congregational prayers at a mosque here in violationofthe COVID-19 lockdown norms.

A case was registered against five people for conducting evening prayers on Friday, police said.

We received information that prayers were being conducted in the mosque, they said adding they were held at Eriyad Masjidul Bilal mosque here.

On Friday, four people, including the president of a local temple trust, were arrested for allegedly conducting a religious recitation in a temple here in violation of lockdown restrictions.

Though lockdown conditions have been eased in accordance with the Centre's guidelines, public gatherings, including functions, weddings, political events and religious gatherings were not allowed.

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