| K oil black marketing alleged at Kishtwar | | Out of over 150 depots, only a few are visible on ground | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Kishtwar, Mar 15: Even as there has been over one lakh litres of kerosene oil supply to the district every month on subsidized rates, people here are not getting their quota, giving rise to allegations that it was being sold in black. A nexus involving CAPD officials, kerosene oil dealers and private vehicle owners was alleged to be taking roots in the district.
According to official sources, over 150 kerosene oil depots stand sanctioned in Kishtwar district and most of them are said to be functional in Kishtwar town and its vicinity while a few dozen depots were registered for areas like Padder, Chhatroo, Dachhan, Nagsini, Drabshala, Bunjwah and some other approachable areas of the district. At the same time, majority of areas in the district are without road connectivity.
Most of them, including Warwah and Warwan, remain cut off due to snow and bad weather conditions. Most of the depots sanctioned for such areas did not exist on ground and the kerosene oil showed to have been released to them was allegedly being sold to private vehicle owners, sources alleged.
Sources a few kerosene oil depots were now getting a supply of 200 to 400 lt per month against 1500 to 2000 lt which they were getting earlier.
"I closed my depot as its owner demanded Rs 2000 rent per month. I have now kept two drums of kerosene oil at home. When the oil is supplied to me, I sell it to consumers from home," a depot owner said, wishing anonymity.
He alleged that in some cases, employees were running kerosene oil depots and added that there was a need of re-verification of the dealers. He also demanded enhancement of quota.
"Most of the kerosene oil in the district is supplied to private vehicle owners, mostly minibuses, trucks and buses, but the authorities concerned were not taking any action.
Another dealer said when they "raise the issue, the concerned officials threaten them to cancel their licences".
Despite repeated attempts, senior officials of CAPD were not available for comments. |
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