Diesel crisis to hit Boro cultivation in Magura

MAGURA, Feb 28 (UNB): Target of Boro paddy cultivation may not be achieved this year due to acute scarcity of diesel supply in the district. Dealers of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil companies said that demand for diesel is more during the current Boro season. The crisis is deepening as Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation is supplying diesel to dealers in rationing system. Hence, diesel price is increasing gradually in the open market. The farmers are now finding it tough to irrigate their land due to diesel crisis coupled with load shedding of power. Their land is being dried up due to lack of irrigation water. Local diesel dealers said the district has requirement of 7,000 liters of diesel daily while only 1500 to 2000 liters are being supplied here from Khulna depot. The dealers are facing financial losses due to rise in transport cost for carrying less amount of diesel. Local farmers alleged that they are being forced to buy per liter diesel by Tk 5 or 7 more for the prevailing diesel crisis. Under the circumstances, altercation between farmers and sellers ensue daily over the price hike.