Dhangadi, November 10

Locals have accused fuel stations of black marketing petroleum products in the far-western districts. They claim the fuel stations have been selling petrol, diesel and kerosene at higher prices only to black marketeers.

It is learnt that Shiva Shankar Oil Store and Saroj Oil Store in Dhangadi have been selling petrol at prices ranging from Rs 180 to Rs 200 per litre and diesel at Rs 150 to 180.

A local, Dhani Ram Chaudhary of Basauti, Kailai said that he could not sow wheat seeds due to lack of diesel. “I had queued for two days just to get 10 litres of diesel, but I returned empty handed,” he said.

He further claimed that black marketeers bought 3,000 litres of fuel from Shiva Shankar Oil Store, while he was queuing for the same. Locals claimed the fuel pumps distributed petroleum products only to black marketeers.

Fuel pump owners, however, said they had distributed petroleum products as per the government’s instructions. Shortage of petroleum products has hit the farmers the hardest. The farmers could not plough their fields to sow wheat, mustard and other seasonal crops.

The tractors, which are used for ploughing the fields, have been grounded due to fuel crunch. Central member of Farmers’ Union Prakash Deuba said large tracts of cultivable land would be left barren if the local administration did not make arrangements to provide fuel to farmers.

“The District Administration Office must distribute fuel to farmers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer of Kailali, Mohan Chapagain said that action would be taken against black marketeers. He urged traders not to take advantage of the current crisis.

Spokesperson for the Dhangadi regional office of Nepal Oil Corporation, Shiva Raj Bhandari said farmers have been hit hard due to fuel shortage.