Mumbai – 8 March 2011 – Trillions of rupees are spent each year in India to keep down the price of fuel. In most cases, these policies have been introduced in an effort to stabilize prices and keep fuel affordable for the poor. Yet despite the good intentions, they often result in negative, unintended consequences to the economy, the environment and social welfare.

A special seminar organized by the GSI, in cooperation with the Forum of Environmental Journalists of India, brought together leading journalists, civil society groups and energy experts to explore the hidden costs of fuel subsidies. The seminar offered participants fresh insights into India’s energy-pricing regime, and its far-reaching impacts on sustainable economic development.

The agenda and presentations from the event are available below:

• Conference agenda (PDF – 190 KB)
• Ajit Kapadia (Vice Chairman, Centre for Fuel Studies) – Key note address (PDF – KB)
• Anmol Soni (The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)) – Fossil-Fuel Subsidies in India: The case for rationalizing petroleum product prices (PDF – 1.06 MB)
• Bhamy Shenoy (Energy Consultant) – The Invisible Hand of Self-Interest: Corruption and politics of fuel subsidies (PDF – 442 KB)
• Anumita Roychowdhry (Centre for Science & Environment) – In the Driver's Seat: Subsidies to the transport sector (PDF – 1.83 MB)
• Kaushik Bandyopadhyay (TERI University) – Pruning Subsidies on LPG and Kerosene: India might miss the target (PDF – 278 KB)
• Kerryn Lang (Research Officer, GSI) – Fossil-Fuel Subsidies: India in the global picture (PDF – 325 KB)
• Damon Vis-Dunbar (Communications Officer, IISD) – GSI: Reporting on subsidy policies (PDF – 342 KB)

Read More About The Event