Mangalore: Minister Halappa Unearths Illegal Storage of 25,000 Ltr Kerosene
Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RS/SB) 

Mangalore, Aug 2: Minister for food and civil supplies Haratala Halappa on a tip-off conducted a surprise raid on a workshop in Baikampady industrial area near here and found 25,000 litres of kerosene illegally stored. Minister is in the district as part of his scheduled visit to Dharmasthala.  

Kerosene found in eight tankers was originally meant for public distribution through ration stores. Out of the eight tankers found on the premises, five were fully loaded and it is believed that kerosene from the other three tankers might have been stored elsewhere after unloading. Police suspect that the illegal storage is part of the racket wherein kerosene is mixed with the petrol and thereafter whitened using chemicals. 

An official from the food and civil supplies department informed that kerosene to be supplied under public distribution system is available for Rs 9.10 per litre and once it is whitened and mixed with petrol, the adulterated petrol fetches Rs 49 per litre.  

Minister Halappa said that it is a serious offence and strict legal action will be taken against the persons involved in the racket, which is now suspected to be on since a year. Minister further directed the police to take required action in this regard. Police have seized kerosene along with the tankers.     

Along with food and civil supplies department officials in-charge deputy commissioner A Prabhakar Sharma too visited the spot.