Ranchi, Oct. 2: After LPG, it is kerosene which has affected the rural masses, as distributors find it more profitable to sell it on the black market.

Kerosene ? which should be sold at a rate of Rs 9.23 per litre through the public distribution system (PDS) and Rs 10.23 per litre in the open market ? is being sold at Rs 25 per litre in different parts of the district.

Over 200 vendors, selected to sell the kerosene oil in different parts of the district, have sold it on the black market instead.

Food and civil supplies minister Kamlesh Singh has expressed concern over the problem and directed the deputy commissioner and supply officers in the district to monitor the situation.

?We will take action against black marketeers without bothering about their influence and power. Anyone found involved in the black market will be sent to jail,? he told The Telegraph.

Special rationing officer Ashok Kumar Sinha said 2,280,000 litres of kerosene are provided to 12 wholesalers every month for distribution in different parts of the district with the help of 203 vendors.

Of the total quantity, 7,68,000 litres are meant for people residing in the city. He said the quantity is sufficient to cater to the needs of the people in the district.

Sources said vendors and wholesalers have started promoting black marketeering ever since the prices of diesel and petrol were hiked.

They added that vendors and wholesalers have created an artificial crisis of the essential commodity and given an opportunity to corrupt people to sell the item at a higher cost. The kerosene was being sold to the businessmen in the city, who used it to operate generators.

Sanicharva Lakra, a rickshaw-puller at Harmu, said the hike in kerosene prices has compelled him to use wood for cooking, which is also not easily available in the locality.

A supply inspector said: ?The government provides 2.5 litres of kerosene to every person holding a ration card. The oil can also be purchased in the open market. While the cost of kerosene sold to ration card holders is Rs 9.23, the cost of the oil in the open market has been fixed at Rs 10.23. It has been noticed that people residing in the urban areas rarely use their ration cards to purchase kerosene. Their quota is sold on the black market most of time.?