Fuel prices are sky high and price with certain additives crossed an unprecedented Rs.100 mark in some cities, of MP, forcing many petrol pumps to shut down as their old analogue fuel dispensing machines were not designed to show a three-digit figure. Its neighbour Maharashtra would soon knock the three-digit figures and states like AP, TS, Karnataka etc could soon follow Maharashtra in joining the Rs 100/ per litre petrol club.

In Hyderabad, I notice many families whose breadwinners are working in the private sector have faced salary cuts due to Covid19, and the continuous rise in petrol and LPG prices is, in turn, making other basic commodities beyond the reach of salaried class and particularly the poor. Since the opposition is weak, it doesn’t mean the ruling party can take people for granted while selectively making Assam Govt cut down the petrol prices, the reason everyone knows, ELECTIONS. While in opposition as CM of Gujarat our Hon’ble PM slammed the then PM, MMS, several times for frequently increasing the fuel prices, and how Mrs Smrithi Irani used to behave those days for this very reason, many would remember I hope.

The stance of the BJP on fuel prices has been quite paradoxical. While it demanded higher fuel subsidies when it was in opposition to protect consumers from higher global fuel prices when the crude oil price was as high as $110 US, a barrel. On May 16th 2014 when NDA came to power the price of petrol in Delhi was Rs 71.41 per litre, when the global price for crude oil was US $106 a barrel, to this, crude oil now stands at around US$55 a barrel, which is almost half of the price of 2014.

As BJP is in power in many states, what’s stopping it from becoming a trailblazer and also a role model for non-BJP states? Our great FM washed off her hands on this issue of rising fuel prices is befuddling  While it’s strange that our PM was blaming UPA after 7 years of being in power, for this unprecedented hike, and we have great people who only thump the desks, in support of it. Please note that during the run-up to the elections, how was the government capable of reigning the prices despite a rise in crude oil prices?

Faulty and unfair system of taxation by centre & states is the cause of the abnormal rise in fuel prices. The Centre has gradually increased the taxes on fuel and the fluctuations in crude oil prices compel oil companies to increase fuel prices. It is ironic that while the government is determined to place an intolerable burden on the poor, it is reluctant to tax profits earned by the super-rich. Undoubtedly oil is a cash cow for the government. Finally, Agriculture is a state subject. So why has the centre arrogated states power and got itself mired in an intractable controversy? When will the BJP walk the talk?

 The decision of the central government to observe the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on 23rd Jan as ”parakram divas”. I think it's only a political stunt with an eye on the ensuing Assembly elections of West Bengal. And if someone thinks it otherwise, I leave it to their wisdom. On the face of it, one would consider it a matter of great pride and patriotism though belated. Strictly speaking, Netaji was born in Cuttak, Orissa, then in Bengal Presidency Of British India. While Didi led TMC and BJP led NDA are in tandem on the issue of celebrating of Netaji's birthday. But the bone of contention is the nomenclature, Central Govt wants to call it as “Parakram Divas” the state’s TMC Govt with All India Forward Block wants it to be called “Desh Premi Divas” and both TMC&FB, are miffed with the Centre for not consulting them.

 If someone thinks that it is not a move to appease voters of West Bengal, then also I will leave it to their wisdom as it is an individual perception. With West Bengal Elections are on cards, especially when it comes to the birth anniversary of Netaji, no party wants to let the opportunity to lure the voters to slip from its hands. And it’s quite reasonable to accept the truth that Central Govt had no time to remember Netaji in the last 6/7 years from the day it came to power. But I feel the people of Bengal are shrewd enough not to fall into such traps and vote judiciously based on work done and schemes floated by Govt.

The regional party’s leaders have gone so far as to claim that it was a “stunt “by NDA keeping in mind the forthcoming Assembly Elections, and” not a mark of respect “to Netaji. Its also reported that the family members of Netaji also put their weight behind TMC’ s, “Desh Premi Divas” but they also said “ we are happy with the announcement. “ 

But the bottom line remains that true respect and honest tributes to Netaji had been if both Governments had joined hands to celebrate 125th birthday anniversary of one India’s greatest sons who strove to free India from the British Iron clutches and rather than quibbling over Netaji’s event the governments should have celebrated the event together if both are so generous and magnanimous. 

 With the failure of 9th round of talks between Centre and farmers Unions,  both sides have agreed to resume discussions on 19th Jan, in a bid to break the deadlock over three contentious farm laws. The end to farmers agitation is not in sight. The Supreme Court waded into a delicate situation, which is being watched by the world.  Even though the government and the farmers were not seeking its help and yet the Court stepped in any way and held the three laws in abeyance. Though it’s not cutting any ice, as the farmers demand repeal of laws. And the Supreme Court should have concerned itself about the question of the constitutionality of the farm laws.

 Appointment of the committee is an extra-parliamentary method to settle the debate over laws is worrisome. The court is not only undermining the legislative but also the nation's faith in a representative democracy. It is hard to see how the court-appointed committee can come up with an amicable solution. As such, the verdict of appointment of a committee of Experts has not resolved the standoff. Farmers have refused to end the agitation and cooperate with the so-called Expert committee and it has only widened the scope of the dirty politics. Let it be the purview of the government, not the Supreme Court to rule the country. The Govt should learn a lesson from this verdict that laws shouldn’t be enacted in haste and must be done after convincing all the stakeholders. The centre and states must work in tandem for the progress of the country. It's a wonder that this government especially since it came to power, announced all important issues unilaterally, in haste by taking things for granted because of brute majority in Lok Sabha.

As per the Supreme Court, the committee it has constituted will hear all sides and help the apex court understand whether the farm laws are in “public interest.” This self-given assignment is outside the top court’s remit, as its job is to determine the constitutionality or otherwise of legislation, not whether it’s in the public interest. That's for the people to decide. Here for the sake of the record, all the four experts are strongly pro-Govt on the Agri-laws. Instead of being an honest broker, the court may be courting disdain.

For conducting negotiations, the members ought to and should be known to have an open mind on core issues which alone will create confidence in the parties concerned.  The validity of the laws can only be decided after proper hearing of the recommendation of the committee.  

Therefore bringing in a committee of known views amounts to constitutional abdication and farmers have rightly refused to appear before it. Howsoever powerful the court may be, there are always limits to its power.

 Indian Coronavirus immunization process has drawn a lot of curiosity, controversy, questions and anxieties. And at the stage when a new wave of attack of the mutant virus is looming large, I wonder if the disease is fatal or the misinformation surrounding it. Keeping greater welfare in mind  -- the government needs to curb over ambitiousness and the opposition should also refrain from questioning every move just for the sake of doing so. 

Many experts have expressed their concerns over hasty approval of these vaccines despite not having the complete data of Phase 3 trails. 

The scope of for apprehension is, one fails to understand the terms “restricted use” ” Emergency use” and also clarification of Union Health Minister that recipients will be tracked, and monitored as if they are on trial. Such disclaimers could dampen the euphoria generated over the approval to the much-awaited vaccines. The rhetoric that this domestic vaccine is “India’s pride” and “ decisive turning point in the war on Corona” and the Govt and its machinery is chanting the same. A section of naysayers feels that failure of Govt to tackle Covid Pandemic and keep the economy from further deteriorating into crisis is a foregone conclusion. It would be unethical to see the Covaxin vaccine as a weapon by covering-up the complete information related to it.  The Govt’s irresponsible attitude could be the reason for the controversy over Covaxin. While 26 thousand volunteers had to be tested, but so far only 23 thousand have been tested. The third phase of those experiments will take 2 to 10 months to come to fruition. How did the subject matter committee of the central Drug Control Agency approve it in the meantime without waiting, is anybody’s guess?

Why this hurry? Is the Govt trying to score some brownie points by following the suit of a few western countries have approved some vaccines? It would be assuring if the government also makes the public aware of the reactions that can be expected after the vaccination. 

To instil confidence the first vaccine must be given “live” on TV to the President Of India, the PM, and the Health Minister and opposition leaders who are toeing the government line. Observing their post-vaccine health condition will enable greater success.

In other countries, top political leaders including the US President-Elect and the VicePresident -Elect have taken jab in public to inspire confidence among people.