Raxaul, Sept. 12: Residents of the district are struggling to get fuel for their kitchen. Black-marketing and smuggling of LPG gas cylinders have created an acute shortage of the domestic fuel.

Sources said a large number of LPG cylinders were being hoarded and sold in the black market. Many cylinders were also being smuggled across the border to Nepal, where these are sold at exorbitant prices. In the neighbouring country, a single LPG cylinder can fetch up to Rs 850 that is equivalent to Rs 1,400 in Nepalese currency.

Anil Sinha, a teacher at Khem Chand Tara Chand College, told The Telegraph that the crisis was an artificial one. “Every month, a large number of LPG cylinders are sold to small agencies. They sell the fuel in a piecemeal manner to their customers. Much of LPG is also smuggled out to Nepal,” Sinha said.

He added that the local administration should be vigilant.

Raxaul sub-divisional magistrate Jitendra Sah, however, said he had not received any complaint. “Since you have brought this to my notice, I will conduct raids along with Indian Oil Corporation officials.” Residents, however, claim that many of the offenders carried on their activities right under the nose of the authorities.

Sharada Devi, a resident of Koiriya Tola, said: “Owners of local agencies transport gas cylinders to Birganj (in Nepal) near the border on bicycles, motorcycles, rickshaws and tongas.” The schoolteacher added that Lalita Gas Enterprises, a local LPG agency, was involved in the trade.

Jai Narain Singh, the proprietor of the agency, was not available for comment.