By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government has instructed all kerosene oil retailers to distribute superior kerosene (SK) oil as per the rate and quantity fixed by the state Government. This comes after there were complaints from various quarters against SK Oil retailers for charging beyond the government rate and not distributing according to the quantify fixed by the government.
As per the official communication, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner (Supply) Jopthiaw Lyngdoh said, “The scale of issue in urban areas is fixed at 7 litres per card and in rural areas, the scale of issue may be determined by the local durbar or vigilance committee in consultation with respective SK Oil retailers,”.
The DC informed that in Shillong areas, the rate of kerosene is Rs 16 per litre. However in areas like Mawphlang, Mawngap, Mylliem, Laitlyngkot, Mawryngkneng and Mawkynrew areas, the rate of kerosene has been fixed at Rs 16.50 per litre. For Pynursla areas, the rate is Rs 16.70 per litre and in Mawsynram and Balat areas, the retailers should charge at Rs 16.80 per litre.
Informing that SK Oil for the month of August has been released for distribution to all APL, BPL and AAY card holders in Urban areas and households under rural areas, the DC (Supply) urged consumers to bring to his notice against non-supply of SK Oil by the retailers.
Earlier, the price of kerosene was Rs 15 per litre. However, after the Central government had increased the price of kerosene by Rs 2 per litre, the State government fixed at Rs 16 per litre instead of Rs 17 per litre.
During the month of July, SK Oil retailers in Shillong were distributing kerosene to the consumers at Rs 17 per litre though the State government had already reduced the price through slashing of value added tax (VAT) on kerosene.
There are also some SK Oil retailers in Shillong areas who distributed only 6 litres per card though the government has fixed at 7 litres per card.
Moreover, there are SK Oil retailers who manipulated the measurement during the distribution of kerosene oil to the consumers.