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| Samba people face acute shortage of K-Oil | | CAPD officials delay fresh allotment to 'earn quick buck' | | Kunal Shrivatsa
JAMMU, Nov 18: Contrary to tall claims of the state government that it is committed to provide adequate quantity of essential commodities under Public Distribution System (PDS) to common man, the people of Samba are facing acute shortage of Kerosene Oil (K-Oil) thanks largely to the 'red-tapism' and alleged 'black sheep' in Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department.
A group of people from Samba, who approached Early Times, said that though CAPD department always claim that there is sufficient quantity of Kerosene oil in the stores, the reality is somewhat different in various parts of Samba including Vijaypur, Ramgarh, Sumb and border areas where there is acute shortage of K-Oil.
They alleged that dealers often express their inability to provide K-Oil to the consumers since they get less quantity of oil in supply despite huge demand of the fuel in the district.
"This is nothing but the artificial scarcity created by the department so as to give undue benefits to the persons at the helm of affairs…. In plain words it is just a tactic adopted by CAPD officials posted in the district to gain pecuniary benefits," one of the residents wishing anonymity said.
"The CAPD officials in the district deliberately seek less quantity of fresh allotment of Kerosene oil from the Directorate just to earn a quick buck from the dealers…. It is being done purposely so that the dealers, who are facing shortage and need more supply, must give something in return," he added.
Due to the artificial shortage created none other than by some CAPD officials in the district as alleged by the locals, the people particularly those who rely heavily on K-Oil to carry out different household chorus, are suffering a lot.
"Samba district has vast area but it is getting a lesser amount of Kerosene Oil, even less than Bishnah and RS Pura Tehsils of Jammu…. People are running from pillar to post to get Kerosene Oil but to no avail as the dealers display 'Not Available' signboards much to the dismay of innocent consumers," said Bharat Bhushan of Ramgarh.
"If we approach the CAPD office to register a complaint, the Assistant Director and other officers hardly pay any attention to our pleas….. They are not ready to accept that there is any scarcity…Where do we go? We are helpless," he added.
Bhushan demanded that the District administration as well as the Director, CAPD Department must ensure that the supply and stock of Kerosene Oil is in sufficient quantity so that the people do not face any hardships.
"The supply of K-Oil in other parts of the state must be up to the mark but in Samba and its peripheries it is erratic mainly due to the official apathy…. We know the reasons of this inconsistency and conveyed it to the department on several occasions but to no avail… The officers always say that the department cannot make allotment until and unless a requisition along with the consumed quantity of K-Oil is received," Bhushan said.
However, when contacted Director CAPD, Jammu GS Chib denied any shortage of Kerosene Oil in Samba district and asserted that the supply and stock position is adequate.
"There is no scarcity of Kerosene Oil but even if there is any further requirement, it will be provided… Position as far as supply and stock of Kerosene Oil is totally reverse as claimed by few locals of Samba… …. People can directly approach me if they are facing any difficulty to get the Kerosene Oil…. I am always available to address to their grievances," Director CAPD Jammu, Chib maintained. |
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