Nagaland Govt. Registered Class-1 Contractors’ Union (NGRC-1 CU) president Seyiekuolie and general secretary L. Pukhato Shohe have disclosed that the union has filed an RTI query to Public Information Officer (PIO), Food & Civil Supplies department seeking detailed information on allocation of kerosene and ‘solvent chemical’ (allegedly used for adulterating liquor and fuel) for the last 15 years.
While demanding the cancellation of bails granted to the fuel adulteration kingpins, NGRC-1 CU said that the kingpins were responsible for corrupting the Naga people’s wealth. “They can never be allowed to run any business in Nagaland especially fuel”, it said.
The union further alleged that the FC&S department and the minister concern was solely responsible for the diversion of thousand litres of kerosene to black market for fuel adulteration purposes including ‘solvent chemical’, allegedly used for both liquor and fuel adulterations.
In this regard, NGRC-1 CU said it has demanded through an RTI query, the documents related to the allotment by the concerned ministry, government of India, as to how the state government obtained and its further allocation and for what purpose?
The union further demanded documents related to the allocation of ‘Kerosene’ as to how much was obtained from government of India and further allocation in the state and district-wise allocation. It also demanded to know as to whether “there is any quota for the minister concerned or secretary or director in the allocation of kerosene? If not why all allocation are not distributed or allotted? Where does the remaining go?”
Pointing out that the fuel adulteration racket has adversely affected every citizen and the economy, the union cited the example of how a litre of fuel, which is suppose to cover 16 kms, was hardly covering 10 kms due to adulteration, at the same time damaging the engines of vehicles.
Contractors were the most affected, due to fuel adulteration, as it has caused huge loss, the union said.
Asserting that the union would not tolerate such serious racket anymore, NGRC-1 CU said “non-locals were the kingpin and several others were involved with them and the most interesting part was that when the racket was detected the local owner who were allowing these kingpin to run their business all of a sudden denied that they do not have any association with them any longer”.
The union also lamented that certain local organisation were non-cooperative during the peaceful picketing of fuel outlets, though normal businesses were not disrupted.
The union has also questioned the authority concern as why ‘check and test’ of fuel outlets are conducted only on a particular day, when it was to be carried out on a regular basis.
On availability of fuel in the state, NGRC-1 CU said it was much more than what is being allocated by government of India. This was so due to excessive adulteration, it added.
It further noted that SKO to various districts, both AOD and MD, were allocated to same agencies for several years namely: Dimapur– AAA, RBCA, PCTC, NSC & D. Angami I Mdzp; Peren– B. Zeliang; Kohima– RBCE & K. Agency; Wokha– Lim Agency & Yanthan Agency; Mokokchung – P.I. Agency, RBCA & Meren Agency CTN; Kiphire– Kiphire Oil Agency; Tuesang– RBCA; Mon– NAFC Agency; Zunheboto– RBCA; Phek– ZTPA, KPA Kikruma & KTA Pfutsero. However, the union alleged that the “entire kerosene allocation were run and utilised by non-locals only”.
To put a stop to such menace, NGRC-1 CU has appealed to all sections of society to contribute and join hands.
The union reiterated it’s demanded that the state government implement Direct Benefit Transfer in Kerosene (DBTK) in the state and also to bring an end to fuel adulteration racket in Nagaland. It said that the success in direct transfer of the LPG subsidy to the consumers through PAHAL scheme, gives an indication of the potential for use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This would ensure genuine beneficiaries get the benefit of subsidy while preventing illicit diversion, it added.