Continuity with change. It may sound contradictory. But for Jaipal Reddy, who replaces Murli Deora as petroleum minister, managing contradictions is what politics and public governance is all about. This could mean consumers may have to share a bigger burden if international crude oil prices continue to spiral.
“I am a new minister in the old government. I am morally and politically accountable for all the policies and decisions of my predecessor. They were collective decisions of the Cabinet. To expect any big change is unrealistic,” Reddy told media.
Hinting that tough measures will be taken if need be, Reddy said policies can always be evolved in accordance with a situation. “At the moment we import 75% of our crude requirements. The country is growing at 8-9%. Need for fuel too is growing. At the same time prices are ruling high in the international market. It is a dilemma. During such times all decisions cannot be pleasant... Daily popularity cannot be the guiding force.”
Does that mean diesel pricing too will be freed? “In such a huge area, a Cabinet minister does not decide the policy. It is decided by the Cabinet. We cannot allow oil companies to bleed. They cannot afford it. Nor can the country afford (subsidy). We have to find a solution. One thing is clear. The burden has to be shared by all. How it is to be done? We will hold consultations and go to the Cabinet if need be.”
Acknowledging that increase in fuel prices will push up inflation, Reddy said this was an “inevitable contradiction” that needs to be “managed politically”. “A newly-married man needs both the love of his wife and his mother to be happy.”
Reddy said his priorities remain the same as Deora’s. “Murli Deora was equally concerned. The tasks confronting the ministry and the country are the same. They do not vary with change in the minister. They do not even vary with the change in government. I am on the same page with my predecessor. We must aim at increasing self-sufficiency. All my predecessors tried their best. But there are constraints. Let me understand the issues,” he explained.
“I am a new minister in the old government. I am morally and politically accountable for all the policies and decisions of my predecessor. They were collective decisions of the Cabinet. To expect any big change is unrealistic,” Reddy told media.
Hinting that tough measures will be taken if need be, Reddy said policies can always be evolved in accordance with a situation. “At the moment we import 75% of our crude requirements. The country is growing at 8-9%. Need for fuel too is growing. At the same time prices are ruling high in the international market. It is a dilemma. During such times all decisions cannot be pleasant... Daily popularity cannot be the guiding force.”
Does that mean diesel pricing too will be freed? “In such a huge area, a Cabinet minister does not decide the policy. It is decided by the Cabinet. We cannot allow oil companies to bleed. They cannot afford it. Nor can the country afford (subsidy). We have to find a solution. One thing is clear. The burden has to be shared by all. How it is to be done? We will hold consultations and go to the Cabinet if need be.”
Acknowledging that increase in fuel prices will push up inflation, Reddy said this was an “inevitable contradiction” that needs to be “managed politically”. “A newly-married man needs both the love of his wife and his mother to be happy.”
Reddy said his priorities remain the same as Deora’s. “Murli Deora was equally concerned. The tasks confronting the ministry and the country are the same. They do not vary with change in the minister. They do not even vary with the change in government. I am on the same page with my predecessor. We must aim at increasing self-sufficiency. All my predecessors tried their best. But there are constraints. Let me understand the issues,” he explained.
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