With oil pumps shut, black marketers rake the moolah

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 3: Even though most people have been facing a tough time amidst the ongoing lock-down and curfew due to coronavirus, the situation has turned out to be very profitable for black marketers.
Taking advantage of the closure of oil pumps, many opportunists are selling petrol and diesel at much higher prices.
The price of petrol in black market has gone up to Rs 150 per litre while that of diesel has reached Rs 110 per litre.
Even as the prices have skyrocketed, public are compelled to buy fuels for essential services and unavoidable works.
Notably, all the petrol pumps (except  a few opened for people working in essential services) are closed due to the lockdown to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Talking to The Sangai Express, some people have raised serious concern over the issue.
A person who identified himself as Sarangthem Ibungo said that shutting down of oil pumps in the State has caused great inconvenience to the common people. Scarcity of petrol has added more woes to the public, he said.
Saying that 'circumstances' are leading people to go out of their homes even during lockdown, Ibungo said he was compelled to refuel his car at Rs 150 per litre as he had to take his ailing baby to a pediatrician.
The authorities concerned need to look into the matter, he said.