Govt-fixed fuel rates effective in Kabul, Baghlan, Blakh

KABUL): The rate of diesel and petrol per litre, fixed by the government, has been effective in Kabul, Baghlan and Balkh provinces over the past two weeks, an official said on Wednesday.

Two weeks ago, the Minister for Trade and Industries, Anwarul Haq Ahadi, announced 57 afghanis the rate of petrol and diesel per litre. He had warned the violators of legal action.

Director of petroleum products at the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Farid Ahmed Sherzai, on Wednesday told a press conference that efforts were underway to bring under control the rates of oil in other provinces as well. He said they had sent price observation teams to provinces to keep an eye on petroleum prices.

“The violators will be brought to courts and their licenses will be cancelled,” Sherzai warned, saying mafia was involved in manipulating fuel prices.

He said some oil dealers were against the decrease in fuel prices. He said the names of such people would be disclosed to the media and public before they could create any problem.

A litre of petrol is being sold for 59 afghanis and the same amount of diesel for 61 afghanis in the market for the past few days.

Sherzai said that the head of oil tankers’ association, Ali Muhammad Ahmadzai, had been referred to the Attorney General’s Office for selling oil above the government-fixed rates.

Ahmadzai had confessed to his violation, therefore his case could not be proceeded further, he said.

He further said the petroleum department officials would put a glance at oil tankers in Kabul and other provinces to arrest violators. He said oil was being imported from Russia and the imports would help further decline fuel rates in the country.

mas/ma

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