The Editorial “Shockingly insensitive” and “Cartoonscape” (Sept. 17) aptly portray the situation of the common man. Gone are the days when only a small portion of the monthly income needed to be allotted for LPG and petrol. Instead of laying the blame for the rising petrol prices on decontrol, fall in rupee value or the hike in crude prices, the government has to take the responsibility until alternative sources of energy are put to use. It has to look for other sources of revenue instead of directing the dagger towards the already injured common man.

Vathsala Jayaraman, Chennai.

Energy in the form of petroleum products, coal/coke and electricity is essential to improve people's lives. Advanced countries have understood this and supply energy, including petroleum products, at reasonable prices. Also, they have created a vast network of infrastructure including public transport systems that ultimately reduces the use of petroleum products. But in India it is the opposite that is happening.

Gopalaswamy, Coimbatore.

Our leaders are always in a hurry to increase the prices of essential goods like diesel, petrol, cooking gas and even milk but are reluctant to touch non-essentials like liquor and cigarettes. Is the government of the opinion that the common man should smoke and drink to drown their sorrow over high prices?

Ramesh Nair, Belgaum.

Whenever petrol prices are hiked, there are protests by both the public and the opposition for a few days, before everybody goes back to their routine.

Has the increase in petrol or diesel rates ever brought down vehicle sales or traffic density? No, they have been on the increase. We Indians have learned the tact of living with any adverse condition or imposition.

D.V. Raghavan, Bangalore.

“Cartoonscape” is apt (Sept.17). The country's economy is being fuelled by the blood of the common man. I wonder who is advising the government to be insensitive.

Ankur Goyal, New Delhi.

I fully understand the government's position when it comes to raising the oil prices as it is dollar denominated and I have come to accept the latest Rs.3.14 price hike with this rationale. However, what bothers me as a taxpayer is the government's dual standards. It does not want to take on the additional burden of the oil price increases but when it comes to running Air India, the taxpayer has to fully fund its losses.