Lok Sabha Question No. 3196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Allocation of SKO
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI, MAHEISH GIRRI, ARJUNLAL MEENA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3196 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  DECEMBER, 2018

## Allocation of SKO

## 3196.   SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI: SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI: SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a)    the details of reforms brought by the Government in allocation and distribution  of  PDS  SKO  distribution  system  for  better  subsidy management  and  also  for  reducing  subsidy  outgo  by  means  of curbing diversion of subsidized kerosene;
- (b)  whether there are no outlets or channel for dispensing non-PDS SKO in the country at present and if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government to create such facility; and
- (c)   whether the Government  proposes  to share the data of  LPG consumers with the State Governments for the targeted distribution of  kerosene and Direct Benefit Transfer for Kerosene and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the said proposal is likely to be implemented?

## A N S W E R

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

रश्रन्देधध धश्र नाध(( प्र )

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) Government of India (Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas) makes quarterly allocation of Public Distribution System (PDS) kerosene to States/Union Territories (UTs) for cooking and lighting purpose only. Keeping  in  view  of  increasing  LPG  penetration,  enhancement  of electricity,  lapsed quota etc. and also recommendations of  InterMinisterial  Committee  (IMC),  Ministry  of  Finance,  PDS  Kerosene allocation  to  States/UTs  have  been  rationalized.  In  addition,  the Government  of  India  also  launched  Direct  Benefit  Transfer  for Kerosene  (DBTK)  Scheme  in  July,  2016.  Currently,  Jharkhand  has implemented DBTK  in the entire State. States of Karnataka, Telangana,  Haryana,  Nagaland,  Bihar,  Rajasthan,  Gujarat,  Goa, Andhra  Pradesh,  Puducherry  and  Maharashtra  have  undertaken voluntarily  cut  from  their  PDS  Kerosene  quota  in  lieu  of  cash incentive.
- (b)  With a view to ease the availability of Kerosene, the Government of India (MOP&NG) has amended the Kerosene (Restriction on Use and Fixation of Ceiling Price) Order, 1993 effective 19.01.2015 allowing sale of Kerosene at commercial rate in the open market.  Accordingly, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have allowed their existing Kerosene dealers (wholesalers) to market white  Kerosene  (non-PDS  Kerosene)  to  the  small  consumers.  In addition, OMCs  through  State  Level Co-ordinator (SLCs)  have requested  State  Governments  to  nominate/authorize  one  or  more existing Kerosene wholesalers to market Non-PDS Kerosene wherever demand exists. Some State Governments like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, etc. have already permitted existing Kerosene wholesalers/private entities/ Government bodies to market Non-PDS Kerosene.
- (c)   OMCs share the data of LPG consumers with the State Governments as and when such requests are made by them.

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