Instant tip

The fortnight’s burning question. Will the proposed differential pricing of diesel lead to diversion of fuel and encourage black marketing?

Maybe. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, IOC
Black markets flourish when there is a demand-supply mismatch, but that’s not the case with diesel. But theoretically, differential pricing inevitably leads to black marketing.

Yes. Ashok Badhwar, President, Federation of All India Petroleum Traders
I think the proposed differential price mechanism will lead to more corruption. It is not possible for dealers to do background checks on customers. If the government proposes to increase diesel prices, then it should do so for all consumers.

Yes. V. Raghuraman, Principal Adviser, CII
Any differential pricing mechanism is fraught with undesirable consequences and the intended purpose is seldom served. Dual pricing of kerosene and LPG are cases in point. It will be better to gradually raise the price of diesel as recommended by the B.K. Chaturvedi Committee and align it to global prices.

—Compiled by Manu Kaushik