(from Correspondence with the Editor)
Sir: Re- profiteering in Kerosene oil in Mangalore as stated by ‘Mangalorian’ in your issue of the 2nd, this sort of profiteering has been going on even before the war. Though there is a distinct understanding between the Chief Agents and Sub-Agents of the A.P.C. and B.O.C., that the latter shall not sell Kerosene oil at a price higher than that fixed by the former, this stipulation is as a rule ignored in practice by the respective Sub-Agents. Though the two aforesaid companies employ a large staff of highly-paid inspectors, who are expected to keep a watch over their Sub-Agents, these vagaries go on un-detected. I would suggest that the Mangalore Municipality do buy a large quantity of Kerosene oil directly from the Chief Agents at the ruling rates and then retail it to the poor at reasonable prices, as was done in Calicut when a similar contingency arose. It looks silly that Government should first be approached in petty matters like these.
Ex- A.P.C.
