Syndicate members including depot in charges making money

Special Correspondent:

Though, the government has lifted restriction imposed on the fuel oil sale to prevent suffering of holidaymakers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, artificial crisis created by some unscrupulous and influential officials of Baghabari fuel oil depots, pump owners and agents of eight districts in the northern region has caused of extreme sufferings to the travelers and transports’ owners and workers.

There is allegation that, on the plea of middle east situation, some unscrupulous pump owners and agents of eight districts in Rajshahi division started lifting of additional fuel oils like diesel, petrol and octane from the three depots respectively Padma, Meghna and Jamuna located at Baghabarighat in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj district and preserved these fuel oils in drums at different secrete places and warehouses with the aim to sale at high prices.

Even after lifting of limit system on the sale of fuel oils on Sunday last, most of the pump owners in the northern region are refusing to supply required measure of fuel oils to the transports’ owners and drivers from their filling stations on the plea of short supply. They often suggest to the fuel seekers to collect fuel from their unauthorized shops in different markets or roadside. As a result, many transport workers are being forced to collect fuel oils from different unauthorized shops with high prices. Of them, bikers are worst sufferers.

On the other hand, farmers of the region have fallen trouble over irrigating their Boro fields due to diesel crisis. They are being compelled to buy diesel for their irrigation pumps from several roadside shops and unlicensed fuel sellers in the markets. The unscrupulous fuel traders in collaboration with Abul Fazal Md. Sadekin, Deputy Manager of Jamuna Oil Depot in Baghabari withdrew additional oils from the three depots and preserved these oils at different places for selling at high prices.

There is more allegation that, huge quantities of fuel oils are being smuggled to India through different border routes including Chapainawabganj border by the influential syndicate on the top of noses of the law enforcers and authorities concerned with the aim to make money overnight.

A reliable source of Jamuna oil depot in Chattogram said, currently there is no shortage of fuel oils in the country. Adequate amounts of fuel oils are being supplied to different depots across the country to meet the current demand. Besides, the government has taken several initiatives to tackle the crisis of fuel during the irrigation period. But, some unscrupulous officials of different depots and local traders are creating artificial crisis across the country to create an instability.

When this journalist tried to know the current status of the fuel oils’ supply from Baghabari depot of Jamuna oil company, depot in charge Abul Fazal Md. Sadekin did not cooperate. He did not provide any information even after making several calls and sending several messages to him to know the current situation of stock and supply.

But, his close associate and influential fuel oil trader and tank-lorry owner Jakir Hossain in a short text sent on behalf of the Deputy Manager (account) Sadekin has informed that, they don’t have any allocation of fuels since March 5.

On the other hand, transports owners and workers said, “Fuel pumps decline to sale fuel oils as per need. But, fuel oils are available at different shops, where huge quantities of fuel oils have been preserved with drums and barrels illegally. Retail sellers are selling fuel oils specially petrol, octane and diesel with double prices due to lack of monitoring by the authorities concerned.

During a spot visit to different fuel pumps in the region including Sirajganj town, this journalist found that, vehicles including buses and trucks were waiting in long queue on the roadside for fuel.

Seeking anonymity, a transport owner and local association leader said, “Many transports have cancelled their scheduled trips ahead of Eid holidays due to fuel crisis. Despite long wait, many drivers are being forced to go back to the garages with their vehicles due to lack of required fuel oils. Fuel crisis also hampers goods supply that falling bad impact in the markets. Taking the advantage, traders are increasing prices of different goods.”

Despite several efforts, no one of the authorities concerned came under contact to make comment in this regard.

Experts seem that, if necessary actions are not taken right now to ease the situation, sufferings of the holidaymakers will go to mountain.