KEROSENE OIL WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE AT PETROL PUMP

KEROSENE OIL WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE AT PETROL PUMP

30-MARCH-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI-------------------------Due to the crisis stemming from the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, the supply of domestic gas cylinders has not yet been fully stabilized. While the government is importing gas-laden vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the volume of supply remains insufficient to meet the existing demand. To ensure that cooking continues in households, the government has begun emphasizing the use of alternative fuels. In line with this initiative, the government has decided that, for the next 60 days, kerosene will also be available for purchase at petrol pumps. However, kerosene will continue to be available at ration shops, just as it was previously. According to the government's decision, two specific petrol pumps in each district will be designated for the distribution of kerosene. These designated petrol pumps have been authorized to stock a maximum of up to 5,000 liters of kerosene.

The government has allocated an additional 48,000 kiloliters of kerosene to various states and Union Territories. This allocation is over and above the regular quota. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed all states to identify specific locations within their districts for distribution purposes, stipulating that the fuel be distributed primarily through ration shops or the designated petrol pumps. According to available information, only 17 states and Union Territories have, so far, expressed interest in availing themselves of this facility. Conversely, the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have stated that they do not currently require kerosene.

Statistics indicate that, following the central government's extensive push to promote LPG usage, very few households continue to rely on kerosene stoves for cooking. Another pertinent issue is that, in several states—such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan—the distribution of kerosene through Public Distribution System (PDS) shops had already been discontinued as early as 2017. The situation in Bihar is largely similar. According to official government data, 21 states and Union Territories have now been declared "kerosene-free." In 2023, the kerosene allocation through the PDS amounted to a mere 1,060,524 kiloliters. The largest share—66 percent—was received by Bengal alone (704,016 kiloliters). In contrast, just ten years prior, this figure stood at nearly 8.6 million kiloliters.

Currently, approximately 20.9 million families in Bihar possess ration cards, while the state houses around 50,198 Public Distribution System (PDS) shops. Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), there are approximately 15.6 million cardholders. Meanwhile, there are about 2.29 million cardholders classified as Priority Households (PHH). Priority in the distribution of kerosene is accorded exclusively to Antyodaya cardholders. Since these are considered the most destitute families, the government provides them with oil for cooking and lighting purposes. In urban areas, as well as in rural areas where households possess gas connections, PHH cardholders are not receiving kerosene.