Report by Amarnath Parida; Jagatsinghpur: The kerosene is becoming inaccessible for the thousands of people in remote areas of Jagatsinghpur district as unscrupulous traders have struck a deal with civil supply officials, tuning the system into full fledged racket. The people of remote are purchasing kerosene at the rate of Rs 30 to 40 per liter due to acute shortage of kerosene during power crisis.

Rural and urban areas of Jagatsinghpur district continued to reel under the worst ever power crisis in recent times of five to eight hours which also resulted acute shortage of kerosene. Poverty stricken people are purchasing the kerosene in black rate during power crisis. It is matter of regret that neither district administration not civil supply department has increased the quota of kerosene especially load shielding period in which consumers are purchasing kerosene at the rate of Rs 30 to Rs 40 per liter. Locals have alleged that major portion of the kerosene allotted for BPL families has found its way to the open market.

The total requirement of kerosene for 3.05 lakh ration card holders of this district is 1218 kilo liters while district has received only 960 kilo liters. There is shortage of 258 kilo liters of kerosene in which department has given 3 liters of kerosene to card holders against the quota of 4 liters per card. Less allocation and large scale misappropriation of kerosene have deprived at least lakhs of people of the benefit of the scheme during last 3 to 4 years.

One BPL woman Mrs Rita Das of Erasama area has alleged that she has received only 2 to 3 liters kerosene since two to three years as against quota 4 liters per card. Even, PDS dealer do not give kerosene every month so she is purchasing kerosene black rate. Other people of remote areas have expressed that hundreds of villages in Erasama are still under darkness since super cyclone. Power crisis has worsened the situation but no steps have been taken to provide extra quota. The people of urban areas having electricity and limited power cuts have received 3 to 4 liters of kerosene while remote areas living in darkness and sever power cut has also received same quota. The people of urban areas are selling kerosene in open market causing artificial shortage of kerosene.

As the vehicles are increasingly using kerosene, the poor men are without any fuel. The common men have been buying kerosene for Rs 30 to Rs 40 a liter from the black market. The racket has acquired serious proportions in the rural belt. In Erasama, Naugaon, Kujang, Balikuda, Jagatsinghpur, Raghunathpur, Tirtol block, the majority of ration card holders are reportedly not getting their quota. Most of the storage agents and retail shops find it lucrative to sell kerosene to the vehicles as it is a cheap fuel. Locals have alleged that no raids and surprise are being conducted due to nexus relation between officials and unscrupulous traders. Harassed consumers have demanded stringent action against the black marketers.

Contacted, district civil officer Mr Laxmidhar Behera has expressed that no allegation has yet received for selling of kerosene in black market. He has requested the department to supply shortage of kerosene to meet scarcity.