Stories
Keralam Urges Centre to More Than Double Quarterly Kerosene Quota to 9564 KL
- •State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob wrote to Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi requesting an increase in the quarterly kerosene quota from 4068 KL to 9564 KL.
- •The minister cited a growing demand among economically weaker sections, migrant workers, traditional fishermen, and residents in hilly and coastal regions.
- •Keralam faces an acute kerosene shortage as the Centre reduced the allocation for the October-December quarter to 40.68 lakh litres against 56.76 lakh litres earlier.
- •Traditional fishermen requiring large quantities of kerosene for boats and the increased distribution of one litre instead of 0.5 litre have aggravated the shortfall.
- •The Centre has also increased the price of ration kerosene, which is currently being distributed through ration shops at Rs 71 to Rs 76 per litre.
Key Questions Answered
Keralam requested an increase in its quarterly kerosene quota to 9,564 kilolitres to meet the growing demand from economically weaker sections, migrant workers, and traditional fishermen. The state noted that restricted LPG supply and reduced central allocations created severe shortages and difficulties for ration-card holders.
The quarterly kerosene quota for the October-December period has been retained at 4,068 kilolitres (or 40.68 lakh litres) against 56.76 lakh litres previously, resulting in a shortfall of 16.08 lakh litres. This significant reduction has left the state struggling to supply adequate kerosene to its 95.5 lakh ration card holders.
Ration kerosene is currently distributed through ration shops at prices ranging from Rs 71 to Rs 76 per litre. Under the existing distribution rules, about 5.94 lakh yellow-card holders receive one litre once every three months, while pink, blue, and white-card holders receive 0.5 litre each.