Rautahat, May 1:

The consumers in Rautahat district are forced to pay more price for the petroleum products as the black marketing of petroleum products is rampant in the district.

The locals are paying additional price after the petroleum traders start charging additional price on their own. The price hike in kerosene and diesel has hit consumers in the district headquarters of Rautahat and its neighbouring rural areas.

It is reported that some kerosene dealers are selling kerosene at Rs 55 per liter while they should sell it for only Rs 50. The traders at the Pipara Bazaar said they are selling petroleum products like diesel, petrol and kerosene adding Rs 10 to Rs 15 than the fixed price.

The local administration has been silent though the petroleum traders have involved in black marketing in Garuda, Katahariya, Shivanagar, Gangapipara and Samanpur.

Ramesh Singh of Sirsiya, Gaur municipality-13, blamed the local administration for being involved in the black marketing of petroleum products. Singh added that the black marketeers have been encouraged because of impunity.

However, administrative officer of District Administration Office Birendra Sharma said he has no information about the black marketing of petroleum products. He said investigation over the accused businessmen would be done and they would be punished, if found guilty.