(a) whether the Government is aware that the fisheries sector in the State of Kerala relies heavily on PDS kerosene as fuel for the boats and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has cut/proposes to cut the supply of PDS kerosene to the fisheries sector in Kerala, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has taken into account the likely impact of the said decision on thousand of fishermen and their dependents and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken in this regard; and
(d) whether the Government has taken/proposes to be taken alternative measures to mitigate the impact of non-supply of PDS kerosene on fishermen in Kerala and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
a) to (d) : PDS Kerosene is allocated to States/UTs on quarterly basis for distribution under PDS for cooking and illumination purposes. Further distribution within the States/UTs through their PDS network to various categories of consumers as per their respective criteria, is the responsibility of the concerned States/UTs. The allocation of PDS Kerosene made to the State of Kerala upto 3rd quarter of 2016-17 is 71,436 KL.
In addition, States/UTs are allowed to draw one month quota of Kerosene at non-subsidized rates during each financial year for their special needs. States/UTs can also seek further additional allocation of non-subsidized SKO from the Government of India after exhausting this one month’s quota.
In addition to above, with a view to ease the availability of Kerosene, the Central Government has amended the Kerosene (Restriction on Use and Fixation of Ceiling Price) Order, 1993 allowing sale of Kerosene at commercial rate in the open market. It is expected that this will reduce demand for diverted PDS Kerosene by improving availability of non-PDS Kerosene in the open market and will thus meet the demand of Kerosene for various legitimate end uses for the industry and for individual consumption by those who can afford it at market price. |
|
|
