The Hindu Business Line : What, me worry?

What is the real reason behind the Government’s decision to raise diesel prices by half the increase that was effected in petrol prices? If media persons of the Capital are to be believed, the reason is that most politicians move around in SUVs which run on diesel. But don’t believe this. The price of diesel or anything else makes no difference to the politicians because they don’t pay anyway. Either ‘friends’ or the taxpayers take care of t he bills.

A job for my boy

The latest Economic Survey has slipped in a little paragraph that it should not have, as it is not its business to make such micro recommendations about appointments. It says Indians needs a single regulatory agency for the transport sector and that the Planning Commission should be the nodal agency for appointing its chairman. This is too transparently tailor-made for someone in the Planning Commission, say outraged officials in the Ministry of Surface Transport, and add that it must be shot down forthwith.

Round four to RBI

Clued in observers of the banking sector are wondering when — and how — the on-going series of run-ins between the SBI and the RBI will end. The latest, the fourth in a year, concerns the unorthodox manner in which the SBI rammed through the marriage with the State Bank of Indore, whose employees promptly went on strike. What’s worse, the SBI did not clarify whether it was an acquisition or a merger. The two have different implications. Nor was the owner of SBI — the Government — consulted. Now the Finance Ministry has put everything on hold.
How to choose a VC

Mysore University has short-listed three candidates for the post of Vice-Chancellor. Instead of giving their experience and academic credentials, says a prominent local historian, it is their caste that seems more important. He quotes a local daily as saying “Sources told… that the short-listed candidates are from Lingayat, SC and Vokkaliga communities…remarkably, the news report did not carry any details on the qualifications of those who aspired to be t he new vice-chancellor…”

OUR DELHI BUREAU

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