Food and Fuel Politics

This has reference to Thomas L. Friedman’s write up on `How food and fuel can reshape politics’ (Deccan Chronicle,June 16, 2008). The article is an eye-opener and thought provoking about the ongoing food and fuel imbroglio around the globe. As he said, this is a pocket book issue in America since they are not feeling the pinch of food and fuel crisis. The U.S farmers plant and divert their corn produce for bio-fuels that may help them to safeguard their survival in the midst of oil crisis later if not now. Because of this, the nations that are depending on the imports of wheat are either not getting their requirement or they have to pay a higher price to get the sufficient supply which is devastating respective country’s economy.

The situation what he described in Egypt is not different from India. The welfare measures (health, education etc) are getting affected because of the Government’s increase in fuel subsidy to the Oil Companies. Our Government has to stop subsidizing the oil prices and that will sensitize the people to conserve energy for our next generation. Also, the Government has to encourage the people to use alternate energy and pump more investments to generate energy using alternative resources. Above all, the UPA Government has to stand up and categorically put forth its views to their allies and say `No’ to their un-realistic demands. The UPA alliance partners as well as other opposition parties too know what is happening around them as far as the current crisis is concerned but still they raise voice about price hike, nuclear deal etc to woo their vote bank! Let the Leftists tackle their backyard problems (Nandigram, Gorkhaland etc) first!