Economic Survey - Is `remunerative' fair

The Economic Survey warns against any drastic cut in petroleum product duties or any significant increase in foodgrain subsidy. Saying that there is need to recognise the potential contradiction between `remunerative' price for the farmer and `fair' price for the consumer, the survey indicates that the same contradiction arises in the pricing of petroleum products.

"The reconciliation of such a contradiction ought not to be in terms of an expensive compromise of fiscal rectitude,'' says the survey, thereby hinting that prudent fiscal management should not be given the go-by.