Diesel rationing starts in 16 northern dists

Dealers and agents close to border areas will get 25 per cent less than earlier supplies and others will get 15 per cent less, BPC sources said.

The impact of rationing could not be measured immediately in Bogra town yesterday as petrol pump owners said they sold fuel from earlier supplies. It may be felt from today, they added.

Officials at BPC's Regional Control Room (RCR) here said fuel rationing was introduced for dealers and agents of Padma, Jamuna and Meghna oil companies due to increase in demand for irrigation as a near drought situation is prevailing in the ongoing rainy season. Smuggling across the border is also a factor, they said.

The fuel demand for irrigation increased by around 10 lakh liters a day as more than 80,000 diesel-run irrigation pumps are operating in the region now, said BPC officials.

The three oil companies are supplying around 20 lakh liters of diesel a day in 16 northern districts, they added.

On Sunday, 48 lakh litres reached northern districts to replenish supplies in near-empty petrol pumps, they said.

None of the three oil companies maintain any buffer stock in the northern districts to meet any emergency.

A senior official of Padma Oil company said diesel smuggling is a major factor behind rationing.

A leader of Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association however denied the allegation of large scale smuggling. Many filling stations are without diesel for days in bordering districts including Panchagarh, Rajshahi and Joypurhat, he said.