Tighten your belt, diesel prices set to rise

CHANDIGARH: Partial deregulation of diesel prices comes as a shock for city residents, who fear this will have a direct bearing on their household budget. The blow is somewhat softened by the raising of the LPG cap from six cylinders to nine.
According to Sector 40 resident Ramesh Kumar, "It was good to hear that we will get nine cylinders instead of six per year.But news of the partial deregulation of diesel prices was not heartening in the least," said Ramesh.
Residents feel both the direct and indirect effects of the diesel price deregulation will impose a burden on the common man. Sector 20 resident Bhushan Arora said prices of food articles will rise, making things difficult for middle class families.
"What does this government want? How can we live in such inflation? Our savings will dwindle even more because of the decision of de-regulation of diesel prices," rued Aman Juneja of Sector 21. Sector 52 resident Gagandeep Singh said the diesel price hike will nullify the benefits of the increased LPG cylinder cap.
"I planned to buy a diesel car because diesel prices are less than that of petrol. But with the recent decision of the government, I feel I should buy a petrol car as it is much cheaper than its diesel version and if diesel prices are set to rise then why should I pay extra for a diesel car," Naveen Dhingra of phase 3, Mohali said.
Kajol Sharma of Sector 10, Panchkula, said the government should reverse its decision because rise in diesel prices would fuel overall inflation.