Pump stations charging above govt-fixed fuel rates

KABUL): Pump station and oil depot owners in Kabul are charging above the government-fixed fuel rates, forcing the authorities to appoint price controllers, officials said.

On Monday, Minister of Commerce and Industries Dr. Anwarul Haq Ahadi told journalists in Kabul one litre of petrol/diesel would be sold for 57afs at all sale points in the capital.

Importers who refuse to implement the price would be warned before being fined for backing out of their commitment, the minister said. If they persist with their defiant attitude, their oil import licences will be suspended for some time. 

On Thursday, however, one litre of petrol was sold for 61afs and the same amount of diesel for 59afs, said Nabiullah, a worker at a filling station in the Karta-i-Parwan locality. They had not yet received any notification from the ministry concerned, he added.

But the fuel department head at the Ministry of Commerce, Engineer Ahmad Farid, insisted they had informed all pump station owners through media outlets. A price controller would be posted at each fuel station in Kabul by Saturday, he promised.

During the outgoing, the sugar price increased while rice and flour rates fell. Fazl Rahman, the head of Food Traders’ Union, said a 50 kilogram sack of Pakistani flour sold for 990afs, compared to last week’s price of 1,000afs.

The price of 50-kg bag of Brazilian sugar increased from 2,030afs to 2, 300afs. A 50-kg bag of rice declined in price from 2,400afs to 2,380afs.

A five-kg tin of Spin Ghar ghee sold for 430afs, one kg of African black tea for 190afs and the same amount of Indonesian green tea at 160 afs, the same price as last week.

The price of liquefied gas jumped to 55afs per kg from last week’s rate of 50afs, said a gas seller in the Taimani neighbourhood, Obaidullah.

The buying rate of one US dollar was 47.40afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees cost 554afs. Last week’s exchange value of greenback was 47.60 afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees 545afs, said the moneychangers’ union head at the Shahzada Money Market, Mohammad Amin Jan Khosti.

Abdul Baseer, a jeweller in the upscale Lisa-i-Maryam neighbourhood, said the price of gold remained unchanged. One gram of Arabian gold accounted for 2,100afs and the same amount of Iranian gold for 1, 700afs.

myn/mud

Visits: 0