Even teachers trafficking fuel across border

12-yr-old makes Rs 100,000 per month

KOHALPUR, Dec 30: Govind Sharma of Bhawanipur village on the Indian side of the border has been selling fuel in Nepal for the last three months. He leaves home at 7 a.m. sharp and returns very late in the evening. Throughout the day he carries diesel and petrol by bicycle from the Indian markets to Jamunaha on the border.

"I am earning beyond my wildest dreams," said a delighted Sharma. "The income is around Rs 7,000 in a day," he proudly informed. As he does not take even Saturdays off, he earns over Rs 200,000 a month. Sharma carries fuel across the border at least 20 times a day.

Almost all the menfolk living at the Indo-Nepal border are into the fuel trafficking business these days, according to Sharma. The fuel shortage in Nepal following the Indian economic blockade has been a boon not just to the men. Madhesi women, who are generally submissive and limit their activities to household chores, are equally involved in the cross-border fuel movement. So are children and the elderly, who see a chance to make a killing. People of every age group are in the act.

"We are really earning hefty amounts since the blockade against Nepal began," said Jamunaha resident Narawati Yadav. "My husband, all our kids and myself get up early in the morning to go to the Rupaidiha petrol pump. From there, we carry as much diesel and petrol as we can and take these to the Nepal side for selling," narrated the 35-year-old. According to her, the total daily income of the family is Rs 5,000 to 8,000. "Who would not get involved in such a profitable activity? Everyone is doing it," she added.

Yadav buys diesel in the Indian market for Rs 81 per liter. After crossing the border, she gets Rs 110 to 130 for the same quantity. Similarly, petrol worth Rs 112 on the Indian side is sold for Rs 150 to 170 across the border. And there are no hassles for individuals crossing the border with a few liters of petrol at a time. "Doing that several times in a day means a huge profit," she explained.

The smuggling of fuel has greatly changed the daily life of people at the border. Waking up very early in the morning, rushing to the petrol pumps with gallon containers and returning home late is now routine for almost everyone. Many school-going children have been skipping classes to grab the golden opportunity to make a quick buck.

Promod Jaiswal of Hirminiya village near Jamunaha is one of hundreds of children skipping school to carry fuel. "I make 5,000 in a day carrying fuel across the border at least 15 times daily," the 12-year-old said. "There are four of us who have skipped school to do this. Each of us is earning Rs 100,000 in a month," the boy added.

Locals are not surprised at the big earnings even among mere kids. They point out that anyone can carry 10 liters of petrol or diesel across the border and do that several times a day. "The demand for fuel has not come down. No matter who is selling it, local businessmen or other individuals snap it up."

Drivers of long-route and other vehicles cannot do without the fuel either," remarked Kabiram Oli, himself a driver. It is just one kilometer from Rupaidiha petrol pump to the Nepal border.

The easy money in fuel trafficking has pulled in everyone. People of all manner of callings from businesspersons and teachers to laborers and farmers are to be seen busy hauling the indispensable liquid. "Making money has never been so easy," commented Oli.