Amid an ongoing fuel shortage across the country, allegations have emerged of large-scale irregularities in petroleum distribution from the Parbatipur Depot in Dinajpur, where thousands of litres of fuel are reportedly being issued in the name of non-existent business entities and diverted to the black market.
Investigations reveal that fuel consignments meant for specific destinations are being redirected before reaching their designated points, allegedly sold later at significantly higher prices.
On 27 April around 10am, a tanker carrying 9,000 litres of fuel departed from Meghna Petroleum Oil Limited.
According to the delivery invoice, the shipment was scheduled for M/S Quader Enterprise’ at Nekmorod Bazar under Ranisankail upazila in Thakurgaon.
However, the vehicle reportedly did not reach the stated destination and instead unloaded the fuel at a private trader, identified as Ashraf, near Baliyadangi Police Station gate.
The driver of the tanker, Nasirul Islam, acknowledged that fuel is often delivered to locations other than those specified in the official consignments..
Mohammad Suman, son of local trader Ashraf, claimed that they receive fuel shipments regularly after acquiring ownership through an affidavit process.
Subsequent enquiries confirmed that ‘M/S Quader Enterprise’ had actually ceased operations approximately eight years ago and currently has no physical existence.
Despite this, records indicate that nearly 108,000 litres of oil were withdrawn under the name of this defunct entity in the current month alone to be sold on the open market.
However, Ahsanul Amin, assistant general manager (Sales) of Meghna Petroleum Limited, said there is no provision for delivering fuel outside designated destinations, nor is there any official mechanism for transferring ownership through affidavits. He, however, admitted that monitoring lapses may occur due to manpower shortages.
Similar allegations have also surfaced against M/S Tumpa Traders in Durgapur upazila of Rajshahi, where fuel is reportedly being diverted from its assigned destinations.
Additional District Magistrate Golam Ferdous said the matter is under active investigation. “If the allegations are substantiated, legal action will be taken against those involved,” he said, adding that weak supervision and the activities of organised syndicates may be contributing to artificial fuel shortages in the market.
