Start bus service for netas’ Thousands Of Netizens React To TOI Story On Fuel Austerity TIMES NEWS NETWORK New Delhi: The Times of India news report ‘Gas-guzzling govt talks austerity, burns crores’ resonated widely with the Indian netizens. Thousands of the TOI online readers shared the report on social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter and hundreds commented on the newspaper’s website, validating the Times View on the issue. The September 5, 2013 news report demonstrated that the fuel consumption of the Central government in New Delhi alone amounted to Rs 3000 crore a year while its ministers have been handing out homilies to Indian taxpayers to reduce their fuel expenditure. Most of the netizens expressed their disillusionment with the UPA government and exasperation over its policies including absurd ideas like shutting down fuel stations at night to reduce consumption. Mnkartha, a commentator infuriatingly wrote: “The govt responsible for the current state of affairs, with having only corruption and inflation as their hallmark, instead of setting an example curtailing profligacy, is forcing all that is difficult down the throat of the stupid common man who is always there at the receiving end.” Several commentators suggested austerity and accountability measures for ministers and bureaucrats. In a sarcastic tone, a commentator, Loves India recommended, “Initiate bus service for ministers (it could be volvo, if their ego hurts) while parliament session is on. Apply the same to states also. This step alone will save a huge chunk of petrol.” Another netizen, Nikhil wrote, “Remove all benefits/ perks and pay the entitlement in cash/account to each officer/babu/mantri. Then we will know the exact figure and these guys will also start saving.” Jai Bharat from Delhi asked “the price of diesel be exclusively raised for the vehicle owners of SUVs, the Scorpios, the Endeavours, the Sumos, for most of them (90%) are owned by politicians and big shots or commercial tour operators. Where is the need for the government to subsidize diesel for these people? Is it not possible for the government which is able to issue Aadhar Card for harvesting votes in FSB (Food Security Bill) to issue Smart Fuel Consumption Card for every vehicle owner and limit their quota per month and beyond which, sell it at market rates.” The news story drew attention from readers across the border as well. A Pakistani commentator Mohammad Ansari asked the Indian government servants to start charity at home by using “only bicycles or cow carts”.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 05:51:02 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015