Increasing taxes and withdrawing subsidies at the time of a generally extortionate price rise and then "rolling back" some of the burden on the consumers in the name of providing "relief" to the common man!

Sheila Dikshit government has managed to sound very cavalier in gauging public opinion and managing public finances.

That's happening even as the social cost of organising Commonwealth Games is slowing being realised by the people of Delhi, not counting those who were unfortunate enough to be uprooted by some of the construction projects.

We'll still pay Rs 310 for a cylinder of LPG as against Rs 282 before budget 2010-11. Twenty per cent hike on diesel stays, which means upwards pressure on prices of all commodities transported by road.

Why should fuel prices, which exert a cascading effect on prices of other items of consumption, be even touched in inflationary times?

One wonders why in a city that's known for its ostentatious display of wealth, Dikshit government has not found a way to tax the rich.

Progressive taxation is the way to go for Delhi if Dikshit government would really have us believe that the city's "standard of living" has been going up.

Simultaneously, government revenues must first help the poor and working class get access to quality public services, many of which -- education, healthcare, water supply, sanitation, to name a few -- are in an abysmal state in Delhi.

Otherwise, common man will continue to resent any increase in taxation.