Imphal, November 22 2010: Although 105 tankers loaded with Kerosene have been reportedly escorted by CRPF from Khatkhati to Imphal during July 26 to November 18, there are only 17 Kerosene tankers with the IOC at present.

When The Sangai Express investigated why kerosene is still not availabe to the public, despite the fact that 105 Kerosene tankers have been escorted to Imphal, it came to light that 88 tankers are missing.

The account of the Government and the actual number which are in the custody of IOC currently shows the diffrence clearly.

This is despite the fact that no Kerosene have been made available to the public.

In this regard, an official in the IOC office at Chingmeirong disclosed that there are presently only 17 Kerosene tankers with IOC.

The allocation order has been issued but it has not been released pending Government clearance.

Sources in the Consumers' Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department pointed out that the daily Kerosene requirement in Manipur is 75 KL and the stock capacity is 2528 KL which is expected to last for 336 days.

Sources further said that the Government has been giving priority to transportation of petrol and diesel instead of Kerosene and so far Kerosene has not been issued to the public.

It is noted here that during the same period from July 26 to November 18, CRPF had also escorted 463 Petrol tankers, 814 diesel tankers, 20 ATF, 534 LPG bullet tankers and 321 rice laden trucks.

Manipur is in the grip of an acute shortage of fuel, even after the 67 days economic blockade was suspended by the UNC many months back.

With the Govt unable to think out of the box and come out with a solution, petrol is being sold in the black at the rate of between Rs 90 to Rs 100 per litre.

Comment