Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Supply Kerosene To Traditional Fishermen Community. on 3 December, 2002
NT> Title: Need to supply kerosene to traditional fishermen community.
SHRI T. GOVINDAN (KASARGOD): Sir, I thank you very much for allowing me to raise this matter.
I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Petroleum Minister towards the irregular and insufficient supply of kerosene to the traditional fishermen of Kerala.
There are 13,000 Out-Board Motors which they are using in Kerala. These Out-Board Motors require 1,65,000 kilo litres of kerosene whereas the allocation to this sector from the PDS would be around 57,500 KL. The gap between demand and supply has led to blackmarketing of kerosene and has trapped the fishermen in debt.
Since the open market price of kerosene is Rs. 16/- per litre, the Government of India has increased the price of PDS kerosene from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 8.65 per litre. Moreover, because of the insufficient quota of kerosene allocated to the Public Distribution System, the fishermen are compelled to pay the open market price for PDS kerosene in the black market. The benefit of the system is not reaching the ordinary fishermen.
In the circumstances, I would request the Government to sanction Kerosene Wholesale Dealership to Matsyafed and see that the PDS quota is distributed directly to fishermen.