Rationing fails to ease diesel 'crisis' as demand increases

Tank lorries queue for fuel at Baghabari fuel depot in Sirajganj. The photo was taken on Thursday. PHOTO: STAR

Rationing from depots of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil companies at Baghabari was started on August 21.

Diesel is being sold in rural areas at up to Tk 36 per litre. Sources among dealers claimed that the price may soar further as they are not getting supplies as per demand. The stock at Baghabari will be exhausted by today (Sunday) while two barges of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) with about 60 lakh litres of diesel are stuck up in shallow water at Nakalia on the Jamuna in Pabna district since Thursday.

Sources at the Baghabari depot admitted that as on Thursday, Padma oil had a stock of about 13 lakh lites, Mehna 17 lakh litres and Jamuna 11.23 lakh litres. Supply is interrupted at times due to navigation problem but there is no crisis of diesel now, they said.

They said supplies have been increased by at least 150 per cent over that of last year but the demand also increased in an unprecedented proportion. They attributed the situation to use of numerous irrigation in fields for sowing Aman seedlings due to lack of rain in northern districts.

Senior agriculture officials here estimated that at least 80,000 pumps could be in operation in the 16 districts now.

Officials at Baghabari depot showed figures on increase in supply. In Jamuna depot, supply of diesel was 5.30 lakh litres on August 15, 5.83 lakh litres on August 17 and 5.95 litres on August 20 this year against 1.34 lakh litres on Agust 15, 1.70 lakh litres on August 16, 77,000 lires on August 17 and 1.57 lakh litres on August 18 last year.

Supplies to Padma and Meghna depots have also been increased manifold over previous years, they said showing official record.

They claimed that a section of dealers are hoarding diesel or smuggling it across the border.

Tayob Ali, driver of tank lorry from Nazirpur in Naogaon said, after waiting in the queue for three days, he got 4,500 litres on Thursday against a demand for 9,000 litres. The rationing has not improved the situation, he added.

Zahidul Islam, another driver at a filling station in Bogra said, he sought 18,000 litres for two tank lorries but got half of it after greasing the palm of a union leader with Tk 2000.

Mominur Islam from Gaibandha also said he got about half of the quantity he sought.

Jasmot Ali, a farmar in Chalonbeel said, he bought diesel at Tk 36 per litre to irrigate his land.

A high official at Baghabari depot seeking anonymity claimed that some dishonest dealers are either hoarding diesel or smuggling it across the border. While talking to this correspondent, Abul Bashar, in-charge of Jamuna depot, Abdul Jalil of Meghna and Shahjahan Hawlader of Padma made similar allegation.