CNG prices in Delhi, ‘If there is pulse in the plate then there is no vegetable, if there is vegetables then there is no pulse’

Auto and cab drivers in Delhi had announced a two-day shutdown from April 18 due to the ever-increasing prices of CNG. Due to this, demonstrations were also held in many places. Many auto drivers did not drive till noon. However, by the evening of the first day itself, the demonstration was called off. The protesting organizations claimed that such a decision was taken keeping in mind the problems of the people.

On the question of rising CNG prices, they start saying bad things about inflation and the government. However, he did not participate in the demonstration on Monday. Rakesh says, “If I had attended the protest, what would have been made for dinner at home. During the Corona period, there was no capacity to buy curd worth Rs 10. If you do not earn, then how will you eat?

Rakesh believes that the AAP government of Delhi is the reason for the rising inflation. Not only them, but all the auto drivers around them feel like this. Gillu Ram Nishad of Jaunpur, sitting next to Rakesh, says, “They have made everything free and are charging us. 200 units would have taken only one rupee each for electricity and if instead of 10 rupees from women had taken only two rupees as rent, then they would not have charged us.” Nishad has been driving an auto in Delhi since 1985.

The prices of CNG are increasing continuously. Rakesh says, “Earlier, we used to fill the gas of 120 to 130 in the morning, then the auto used to run throughout the day. Then the price of gas was Rs 42. Within a few days the price has crossed 70. After which now one has to fill gas up to Rs.250. There is a loss of more than 100 rupees directly. Can’t find a ride.

Be it Rakesh or Gillu Ram, their displeasure is with the Delhi government instead of the Modi government at the Center due to the rising prices of CNG. The main reason behind this is that the Delhi Auto Rickshaw Association is actively participating in this demonstration. It is related to RSS i.e. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Its general secretary is Rajendra Soni. Rajendra Soni’s statement is prominently published in all media institutions. In which they are demanding reduction of subsidy from the ‘AAP’ government instead of the central government. The AAP government is on target in organizing them.

In Delhi, an advertisement of Panchjanya, called the mouthpiece of the RSS, is seen on auto rickshaws. Auto drivers have got this advertisement installed only at the behest of Sony. Instead, they have been opened with a sheet and two pillows. Many auto people told this thing to us. Soni while accepting this says that when he came to me like an organization, I got it installed. Tell me if you want to have it too. Will put it up.”

Target on you, silence on the center

Rajendra Soni is constantly demanding subsidy from the Delhi government itself. In a news published in Amar Ujala on April 8, Soni says, “It has become difficult to run a house due to the daily increase in the price of CNG.”

It has been told in this news that a letter has been written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In this letter, a demand was made to give a subsidy of Rs 35 per kg on CNG.

Along with auto rickshaw drivers, Soni had also demonstrated at the Delhi Secretariat on 11 April. After this spoke to ABP News on 14 April. In this, Soni says the same things that Rakesh and Gillu did to us.

Soni says, “When you made DTC buses free for women. 300 units electricity free, made liquor free, gave a subsidy of 30 thousand rupees to e-rickshaws. Then what wrong have these auto guys done. Give us a subsidy of Rs 35. Right now we will not demand an increase in the fare.”

In this conversation, Soni expresses his displeasure at one or two places on the central government, but the demand comes from the state government only. He says, “When Arvind Kejriwal’s 49-day government came, then the price of CNG was Rs 51, then he immediately reduced it by Rs 15. What happened now? Why aren’t the prices coming down now? This is the job of the state government. The central government is increasing, you make CNG cheaper. We are also opposing the central government within this strike.

CNG in Delhi is Rs 71 61 paise per kg. The government in Delhi does not charge any VAT on CNG from 2020.

When Newslaundry questioned Soni about this, he says, “Delhi government is giving subsidy on everything. So what is the enmity with the auto guys? Whereas auto people had a big role in forming his government. We are not demanding to increase the fare because by making the buses free, there has been a shortage of passengers anyway. Due to Corona, there has been a significant reduction in the income of the people, in such a situation, increasing the fare will increase the pressure on them and people will stop sitting in autos.

Are you making any demand from the central government also. To this Soni says, “There is no government for us. We are opposing both. Our organization is associated with RSS but RSS never stopped it from opposing any government. For us, the interest of the auto drivers is paramount. Today, due to the wrong policies of both the governments, the auto rickshaw drivers are in a bad condition. Will meet the representatives of the central government soon and demand a reduction in prices. At the same time, even after asking for time to meet many times, no representative of Delhi government is meeting us. If this continues, the movement will intensify. This is our only demand that the Delhi government should give subsidy.

Recently, Delhi’s Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot had told that a high-level committee has been constituted to consider the problems and demands of auto-taxi drivers. According to its recommendations, the government will take steps.

However, according to experts, the government will not give such subsidy on petroleum products. That too when the period of ups and downs continues at the international level. The economy has weakened during the Corona era. The international market plays a role in determining the price of oils. If there is an increase in prices, then the government will have to make expensive purchases. A major part of government income comes from tobacco and petroleum products. In such a situation, the government will avoid giving subsidy on it.

Development stalled

The government has constituted the committee. Now till when the committee will give its report and auto drivers will get relief, it cannot be said. But due to the ever-increasing prices, the life of auto drivers has become miserable.

The elderly Rakesh, pointing to Gillu’s body, says, “You see his body. Look at a rich man of his same age. The difference will be clearly visible. The result of increasing inflation was that now if pulses are made then there is no vegetable and if vegetables are made then there is no pulse. The government gives ration but there is more involved with it. Mustard oil or vegetable, the price is increasing every day.

Hearing about the free ration by the government, Gillu says that ration is available for Rs 1200 to 1500 per month, and doubled the price of CNG. Now every month the cost of CNG has increased by about three thousand. Took three thousand from us only in the cost of CNG. So what happened for free? They don’t market what they are taking from us and make a ruckus about what they are giving for free.