Rs 41bn Diesel Subsidy Is for Buses — So Why Does Your SUV Get It Too?

The government is running a Rs 41 billion diesel subsidy from October to December, cutting roughly Rs 70 off every litre at the pump. It was announced as relief for public transport and as one of the moves the Central Bank credits with keeping inflation down. The problem: CPC can't separate a bus from a private vehicle at the pump, so every diesel vehicle gets the same discount, whether it's a CTB bus, a goods lorry, or someone's personal double cab or SUV. Backers say a blanket cut is the only mechanism that actually works, and cheaper diesel for lorries and vans still keeps freight and food prices down for everyone, bus or no bus. Critics point out that private bus operators say they're still losing money on every trip and haven't passed anything on to fares, while owners of diesel double cabs, pickups and SUVs are quietly pocketing the saving with zero means test. If you drive a diesel vehicle, have you actually noticed this subsidy helping your running costs, and should it stay blanket or get restricted to commercial and public transport plates only? ඩීසල් සබ්සිඩිය ලැබෙන්නේ බස් එකටද, එහෙම නැත්නම් ඔයාගේම වෑන් එකටද?