Lok Sabha Question No. 106 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-24
Subject: Allocation/Supply of Kerosene
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *106 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2017

## ALLOCATION/SUPPLY OF KEROSENE

## *106.  DR. SHASHI THAROOR :

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)   the details of proposed revision in quantum of PDS kerosene being supplied to the State of Kerala along with its likely impact on the coastal fishermen in the State;
- (b)      whether  the  revised  supply/  allocation  of PDS  kerosene has been made to Kerala beyond the third quarter of 2016- 2017 which was 71,436 kilolitres and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether  the  States  are  allowed  to  draw  one  month  quota  of  kerosene  at  nonsubsidised rates during each financial year for their special needs and if so,  the details thereof;
- (d)    whether such provision is adequate to meet the rising demands of fisher folk who use kerosene for their fishing vessels and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (e)    whether the Government is likely to revise the current allocation of PDS kerosene to the  state  of  Kerala  to  meet  the  demands of the fishermen  and  if  so,  the details  thereof along with other steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज् य मंत्री ( स् विंत्र प्राार )

(श्री धमेन्द र प्रधा

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (e) :  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 106 ASKED BY DR. SHASHI THAROOR FOR ANSWER ON 24.07.2017 REGARDING ALLOCATION/SUPPLY OF KEROSENE.

(a) &  (b)  :    As  per  Kerosene  (Restriction  on  Use  and  Fixation  of  Ceiling Price)  Order, 1993, the Government of India (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas) makes   allocation  of   Public  Distribution  System  (PDS)  Kerosene  for  cooking  and lighting  only  on  quarterly  basis.   Further  distribution  of  PDS  Kerosene  within  the States/UTs under PDS network to various categories of ration card holders/consumers  is  the  responsibility  of  the  concerned  States/UTs.   Scale  and criteria of distribution are also decided by respective State/UT.

As per the data, LPG Coverage in Kerala as on 01.07.2017 was 101.6%. Similarly,  as  per  Census  2011,  electricity  coverage  was  94.4%  against national  average  of  67.3%.  Thus,  only  5.2%  of  the  total  households  use  SKO  for lighting  purpose  against  national  average  of  31.4%.   This  number  may  have  come down since 2011.

Taking into account the above mentioned factors and based on the recommendation of inter-ministerial committee (IMC), the PDS SKO allocation to the States/UTs including Kerala has been rationalized for 2016-17 and 2017-18 (up to 2 nd quarter). Detail of quarterly allocation of PDS Kerosene made to the State of Kerala during 2016-17 and 2017-18 (up to September, 2017) is given below :

| Year - 2016-17 :                  | Allocation (in KL)   |
|-----------------------------------|----------------------|
| Ist Quarter (April - June)        | 27960                |
| 2nd Quarter (July - September)    | 26568                |
| 3 rd Quarter (October - December) | 16908                |
| 4th Quarter (January - March)     | 16908                |
| Year - 2017-18 :                  |                      |
| Ist Quarter (April - June)        | 15456                |
| 2nd Quarter (July - September)    | 15456                |

- (c)  and (d)  : Ministry of Petroleum and Natural has issued Order dated 21 st August, 2012 whereby each State/UT including Kerala can draw an allocation of one month's quota of Kerosene at non-subsidized rates (inclusive of excise / custom duty / taxes and  excluding  under-recovery/fiscal  subsidy)  during  each  Financial  Year,  for  their special  needs.   States/UTs may seek further additional allocation of non-subsidized Kerosene from this Ministry after exhausting this one month's quota.
- (e)    : Ministry  of  Petroleum  and  Natural  Gas  makes   quarterly  allocation  of   PDS Kerosene  for  cooking  and  lighting  only.    While  deciding  the    allocation  of  PDS Kerosene  of  the  States/UTs,  the  factors  such  as  increase  in  domestic  LPG/PNG connections, increase in electricity coverage, Non-lifting of PDS Kerosene quota by the concerned States/UTs etc. are taken into account.

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