SWABI, Nov 6: Despite the advent of Ramazan, the shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) continues unabated in the district and its suburbs while the fuel wood dealers have got an opportunity to fleece the consumers.

The gas dealers told Dawn here on Wednesday that due to lack of gas supply they could not satisfy the consumers, saying that the main suppliers were responsible for the shortage.

The dealers, they said, were not being provided with sufficient stock of gas and, with Ramazan and winter upon us, the use of gas has increased manifold, straining the supply even further.

A 12-kg cylinder, which was available at Rs325 about 15 days back, is now selling at Rs400. The dealers are charging Rs43/45 per kg in Swabi Adda, while in far-flung areas the price is even higher, a random survey showed.

When asked, the agents said with the resumption of regular supply, the consumers would get gas at the previous rates. They, however, said the pledge made by the suppliers that smooth supply would begin from Nov 5, could not materialise.

The consumers, on the other hand, alleged that the agents had indulged themselves in black marketing and refused to inflate their cylinders without over-charging. They said they (the agents) had created an artificial shortage.

The situation had forced the consumers to purchase fuel wood but its dealers have also increased the rates. Instead of the normal Rs70 for 40 Kg, they are now charging Rs100.

The consumers alleged that no legal action was taken either against the gas agents or the wood dealers who started fleecing them and fixed their own rates.