Damauli, January 23

Black-marketing of petroleum products has gone up of late in Tanahun on account of the ongoing Tarai agitation and border blockade.

Black-marketing is said to have increased after local dealers distributed fuel only to their relatives. Tanahun Oil Store allegedly distributed fuel to their relatives. It is said that as much as 6,000 litre diesel was dispatched to the store on Friday night, but locals didn’t get any of it as the staff filled the drums belonging to their relatives.

Meanwhile, Administrative Officer Damodar Sharma of Tanahu District Administration Office said he knew that the petroleum products were coming in, but had no information about the distribution time. The administration said it was investigating into irregularities in fuel distribution.

DSP Rakesh Singh, of Tanahun District Police Office, said they were preparing to send the details of fuel distribution to the administration as the dealer, as per locals’ complaints, had hidden the fuel. “We will seek clarification from the respective persons regarding the matter, said DSP Singh.

Manager L B Pandit of Tanahun Oil Store, however, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.