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03.08.2010
rationalised the petroleum prices? Shri Mulayam Singhji, Shri Lalu Prasadji, all of
them, one day or the other, were running the Government and during their tenure
in the Government, each and every leader of the Parties were party to the
Government and that Government has rationalised the petroleum prices. Otherwise,
what would have happened?
Supposing we have not rationalised the petroleum prices, according to the
international market price, what would have happened? The outlets would have
been dried. Our oil markets would have gone into bankruptcy. Finally, what would
have happened? The wheels of the entire economy would have come to a grinding
halt. Is it not a fact? That is why, there is no other way for this Government
headed by Congress to see that corrective measures are taken to cope up with the
international oil market.
It was because of the prices in the oil market, the prices of the entire
essential commodities have gone up. It is a fact. To be very frank with you, in the
past five years, under Rule 193 alone nine discussions have been held on this
subject time and again and there were discussions under Calling Attention, Special
Mentions and so on by Shri Basu Deb Acharia and Shri Gurudas Dasgupta and so
many other hon. Members.
As Sushmaji has said, we are watchdogs. We are responsible Members of
the Parliament. We are representing the common man in this Parliament. There is
no other way except to help him by at least discussing and deliberating the issues
of common man in Parliament which is a temple of democracy.
We have not done anything wrong; no Government for that matter,
willingly or wantonly would have raised the prices of petroleum products. It was
only to see that the wheels of economy are put on move that the prices of
petroleum products have been increased.
Rising prices of essential commodities is definitely a great concern of
common men, the people of middle class, the lower middle class, the poor people.
But at the same time, I would like to ask whether it is possible to insulate the price
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