Despite Govt Slashing K. Oil rates to 15 Rs/ ltr, consumers forced to get the same at 46 Rs.

Srinagar, June 03 ( RNA) : Call it sheer ‘ mismanagement’ or a ‘ compromised’ and deliberate administrative patronage , many Kerosene Oil dealers have resorted to ‘ unfair means’ in Kashmir Valley with poor consumers devoid of taking the advantage of the benefits announced by the Union Government in the wake of COVID outbreak. The government had announced a huge cut in the kerosene oil rates in the month of March reducing the prices to 15.06 Rupees a liter. However, the rate cut seems to have benefited the authorities in CAPD and the dealers more rather than the poor consumers who continue to buy the oil at the rate of 44- 46 rupees a liter in most parts of the valley.
Ironically the authorities in CAPD despite being well aware of the ‘violation’ not only prefer to remain ‘mute spectators’ but also seek to justify the action, thus allowing the dealers to fleece the consumers making the role of the department itself ‘murky’.
RNA has learnt from sources that the Oil is being distributed to consumers at the rate of 46 rupees in various parts of Kupwara, Handwara, Budgam, Srinagar, Baramulla and many other areas. Sources said that the dealers get the oil from the CAPD on revised rates since March this year, but have failed to pass- on the benefit to the consumers and are allegedly enjoying the patronage of the CAPD department at many levels. An official in the CAPD department told RNA that the official rate of the Kerosene oil has been fixed at Rs. 15.06 and dealers are allowed to sell the oil at the rate of 17/- However, consumers maintain that they get oil at the rate of 46 rupees. Pertinently lakhs of liters are being distributed in valley districts on ration card every month. In Kupwara district alone, more than two lakh liters are being supplied per month whereas in Barmulla it is nearly three lakh liters.
Director CAPD Bashir Ahmad Khan came up with a ‘bizarre’ justification of the alleged violation of his own order saying, the dealers can’t be forced to sell to oil at the reduced rates as they might have paid as per the previous rates. He however, was quick to change the stance by promising an enquiry. Consumers asked as  ‘how can there be any old quota of February or Macrh still undistributed when the department  release the supply on monthly basis . The qouta of May according to an offciial was also relased in the second week of May.
“We know about this, but we can’t help it. Consumers have to pay 46 rupees as the dealers’ might have paid as per the previous rates. We have got similar kind of complaints from Budgam, Srinagar and other districts also. “Mr. Khan told RNA. He however, changed his stance soon after and said that an enquiry would be initiated to know the facts.
“I will order an enquiry into this.” He said in reply to a question as how can the benefits of the government decision be not passed on t the consumers.
When asked regarding a similar kind of complaints coming from Rajwar and Ramhal areas of Handwara, Director said that he was aware of similar problems in Budgam and some other districts but had no knowledge about Kupwara district. He however assured that a report would be sought from the Assistant Director Food Kupwara .
Meanwhile Contrary to the director’s claim an official who is concerned with the distribution of Kerosene oil told RNA that the supply was fresh and there was no backlog quota available with the dealers.
“We had very little supplies in the March and April due to Covid Lockdown. But we got fresh supply in the second week of May on the revised rates.” A CAPD official associated with the oil distribution in one of the districts told RNA.