Fuel Crisis Paralyzes Satkhira Farmers and Transporters in Distress

As the supply of fuel oil in the world market has decreased due to the unrest and war situation in the Middle East, Satkhira district has also faced an extreme fuel oil crisis like the rest of the country.

Due to this fuel oil crisis for several days, transport owners and farmers of the district have been in extreme danger. It can be seen that although there are a total of 5 oil pumps in Tala Upazila, most of the oil pumps are closed. Although two or three pumps are open, they are supplying nominal oil. Again, retailers are selling oil at a higher price than the fixed price on this occasion. On the other hand, after receiving complaints that retailers in Tala Upazila are selling oil at a higher price than the fixed price, the Tala Upazila Executive Officer has collected fines through mobile courts at several shops.

Oil pump authorities are supplying oil in a small range on the pretext of limited oil at some pumps in Satkhira Sadar Upazila. Although there are two oil pumps in Asashuni Upazila, they are not supplying more than 3,000 liters of oil daily. That too through division according to need. For example, motorcycles will get 2 liters or a maximum of 200 taka. Scooters will get 3 liters or a maximum of 300 taka and microbuses will get 10 liters. Even if 3,000 liters of oil are exhausted, the pumps are being kept closed.

Meanwhile, motorcycle, bus and micro drivers say that it is difficult to travel with oil in this way and with fear in our minds. When will the oil in our cars run out? We have to travel in this fear.

Ordinary farmers say that since the supply of oil is less than the demand, the crops are being severely damaged because they cannot water the crops as needed. Cultivation has become uncertain. We have been facing a lot of trouble this year because we have spent so much money and cannot water the crops due to lack of oil.

However, avoiding all responsibility, pump owners and retailers say that we are selling oil as we get it. We have no responsibility here.