Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce diesel prices in the country saying crude oil prices have come down in the international market by up to 33 per cent and diesel prices should be reduced in the same ratio.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Minister said he has written to the Prime Minister in this regard earlier also, but has not got any positive response so far.launching an attack on the Centre, Hooda said that the BJP, which calls itself the well-wisher of the farmers, should fix the diesel prices in the country according to their reduced prices in the international market.
The Chief Minister said farmers of the State are facing drought or flood like situation. Haryana Government has also declared drought in the State. In such a situation the Central Government should give relief to the farmers of Haryana with immediate effect by paying them compensation demanded by the State Government.
Besides the Chief Minister asked the Centre to give relief to the farmers facing drought and floods in the country through reduced prices of diesel. Hooda said that instead of reducing subsidy on diesel the centre should consider the option of reducing prices of diesel.Hooda hoped that the Prime Minister would take immediate necessary steps to give relief to the farmers.
He said because of scanty rainfall in the country some parts of the country faced drought, while some places faced floods because of excessive rainfall due to nature’s fury. Facing natural calamity, people are expecting some relief from the government. To deal with the situation farmers in Haryana have been using electricity and diesel pump sets to irrigate their land.
The Chief Minister said diesel is a necessary fuel which helps the farmers in their hour of crisis so to help the farmers continue with their agricultural activities and livelihood, the prices of diesel should be reduced.
In this connection, it is a good sign that the prices of crude oil has reduced by as much as 33 per cent. Earlier too the prices of crude oil in the international market had reduced by 15 per cent in the last four months. In such a situation, the Centre should reduce the diesel prices to give relief to the farmers.
The Chief Minister reminded the Central Government that during the lok Sabha election the BJP had promised implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report.
Besides, the BJP had also promised cut in the prices of oil. Now the NDA Government has completed more than 100 days in power but no steps have been taken in this regard so far. He said the Central Government should fulfil its promises so that not only the drought-affected farmers of Haryana, but that of the entire country benefit.