Artificial crisis of kerosene in 3 dists

Star National Desk
An artificial crisis of kerosene prevails in Bogra, Barisal and Gaibandha for several weeks.

Our Bogra Correspondent has reported one crore litre of kerosene were mixed with diesel used for irrigation purpose in the northern region during last two months.

An officer of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) told this correspondent the administration will take action against the dealers who drew much kerosene and were involved in adulteration of diesel in the ongoing Boro season.

Control Room sources here said most of the dealers in this region mix kerosene with diesel for an extra benefit of Tk 3 per litre.

Our Barisal correspondent reported that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) depots in Barisal region are supplying less than one-fourth of the demand.

Each litre of kerosene is being sold between Tk 22 to 24.

According to market sources, the depots of Meghna, Padma and Jamuna oil companies under BPC have a capacity to contain more than 17 lakh litre of kerosene in the region.

Stock in Meghna depots has been exhausted while the other two depots contain only eight lakh litre. They are now supplying only about 50,000 litre against the official demand of 1.5 lakh litre of kerosene per day under rationing and quota system.

Kerosene is being old in Kalapar, Galachipa, Monpura, Baufal, Matbaria, Hizla, Kathalia and other places at Tk 28 to 30 per litre.

Morshed Alam and Shahidul Islam, Depot-in-Charge and Marketing Officer of Padma Oil denied any charge of corruption and irregularities in distribution of kerosene.

The district administration in Barisal held a meeting at the Deputy Commissionr's (DC) office recently to review the crisis of kerosene.

Our Gaibandha Correspondent has reported Sunderganj upazila unit of Samajtantrik Khet Majur and Krishak Front brought out a procession at Sunderganj on Tuesday.

Processionists have demanded reduction in price of diesel, fertiliser, kerosene and other agriculture inputs. After the procession a meeting was held at the Upazila Parishad compound.