Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, issued a firm warning on Sunday against anyone found involved in the black marketing of petrol during the current fuel supply crisis.
The minister made this statement after conducting inspections at multiple petrol pumps across Agartala to review the supply situation. Due to severe disruptions in fuel transportation caused by railway track damage in Assam's Lumding-Badarpur area, petrol rationing measures have been introduced in the state.
Explaining the situation, Minister Chowdhury stated, “A recent derailment in Assam has impacted railway connectivity in the Lumding-Badarpur sector, cutting off petrol and diesel supplies by rail. This issue is expected to persist until November 13, prompting us to implement fuel rationing. Effective immediately, two-wheelers will receive fuel worth Rs 200, three-wheelers Rs 400, and four-wheelers Rs 1000 per day.”
Minister Chowdhury, accompanied by officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department and other departments, has been actively monitoring petrol pumps to assess the situation and gauge available fuel stocks.
“We are also closely watching for any signs of black marketing,” Chowdhury said, urging the public to recognize that this temporary disruption is beyond the government’s control. “I have spoken with the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, who assured me that rail services should be restored by November 13, and normal fuel supplies are expected to resume by November 14.”
Chowdhury further warned that any attempts to exploit this shortage through black marketing would be met with strict action. He instructed petrol pump owners not to entertain such practices, emphasizing that pumps found involved in black marketing would be shut down and face stringent penalties.
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