A daily wage labourer Sonu told Newsline, “I bought five litre kerosene a month back and it lasted only nine days. I will now wait until next month for kerosene and even a gas cylinder is also not available here.”

While the Government rate of kerosene is Rs 46.90 per five litres, private dealers charge Rs 50 for the same, sources said.

Harbans Lal Mehta, Inspector, Kalka Food and Civil Supply said the total consumption of kerosene in the region is 98,307 litres against which only 9,000 litres were being made available per month.

While eleven-litre kerosene is given per month to BPL cardholders and AAY, three litre is given to people under APL (above poverty line). There are total 3,600 BPL cardholders and 18,510 APL cardholders under Kalka division.

When quizzed regarding allegations of overcharging, Mehta said such complaints should be brought to his notice and promised action against the dealers.