China Daily: “China raised fuel prices for the second time this year, hiking gasoline and diesel by 6.5 percent to 7 percent effective on
Tuesday, amid rising world crude oil prices and falling domestic inflation. Prices went up by 600 yuan $94.90 a metric ton, the biggest hike since June 2009. The average gasoline price went up 6.5 percent to 9,980 yuan a metric ton, while diesel prices rose 7 percent to 9,130 yuan a metric ton.Both prices are record highs. China, the worlds second-biggest oil user, raised fuel prices for the first time this year by 300 yuan a ton on Feb 8.”
20/03/2012
* Chinese fuel prices raised by 6.5-7%
14/03/2012
* (Indian) Rail Budget directionless, anti-people: BJ Party
The Hindu: “The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday termed the Railway Budget as “directionless” and “anti-people”, saying it will add to the woes of the common man already facing the brunt of spiralling prices.
“It is a directionless and anti-people budget,” BJP’s vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, adding that without taking effective 
steps for ensuring security, facility and time, “announcements have been made for an expensive journey”.
He said at a time when the common man was already under attack from the burden of price rise and inflation, “the railway budget has given another bigger blow”.
Mr. Naqvi said, “While the Railway Minister has announced a five-year plan for taking care of security, facility and time, the burden of increased fare has been slapped on the common man in five minutes.”
BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar said the Rail Budget was “anti-aam aadmi” and there was no vision in the budget. “There is no vision. There is no action and passenger has been raised… prices will shoot up,” he said.”
via The Hindu : News / National : Rail Budget directionless, anti-people: BJP.
See also other (supportive) post today on the Railway Budget.
14/03/2012
* Indian PM Manmohan terms Rail Budget forward-looking
The Hindu: “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday hailed as “forward-looking” the Rail Budget which has proposed hike in passenger fares in various ranges in different categories.
“The Railway Minister has presented a forward-looking budget with emphasis on safety and modernisation of the Indian Railways,” Dr.
indian railways (Photo credit: peevee@ds)
Singh said in a statement. He said the budget has been formulated against the background of the Railways’ responsibilities in meeting the demands of the 12th Five Year Plan.
Presenting his first budget, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi announced hike in passenger fares ranging from 2 paisa per kilometre to 30 paisa per kilometre in various categories of trains while noting that the Railways was passing through a “difficult phase”. He also announced introduction of 75 express trains, 21 passenger trains and extension of 39 trains besides increase in the frequency of 23 trains.”
via The Hindu : News / National : Manmohan terms Rail Budget forward-looking.
See also other (opposing) post today on Indian railway budget.
CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon 