HYDERABAD: The city committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded restoration of the kerosene quota to white ration cardholders from the existing 10 litres per month to the previous 18 litres.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, CPI (M) city leaders said the cut in kerosene supply, from 18 litres to 10 litres, was done without informing the Food Advisory Committee.

City committee secretary P.S.N. Murthy, who said the party had already represented the issue to various authorities including the Chief Rationing Officer and Commissioner for Civil Supplies, felt the reduction in quota would hit the poor in urban areas harder than those in rural areas since the latter could make do with firewood, an option that is not available in cities.

More cards

"Another factor is the increase in number of white ration cards in the city. The earlier supply, when the number was around 2.5 lakhs, was 6,828 kilolitres per month. Now, after the number of white ration cards went up to over 4.5 lakhs, the quota has been cut to 4,776 kilolitres. This is unjustified," Mr. Murthy said, alleging that Hyderabad was facing kerosene problems because the State Government was `adjusting' the city's quota to other districts.

"As for the Centre's supply to Andhra Pradesh, the monthly per family supply is 7.5 litres, which is the lowest among all States. The national per capita supply is 10.6 litres with some states like Gujarat even getting 17.2 litres for each family. It is the State Government's duty to take up this issue and increase the supply to our State," he said, adding that the party would intensify its agitation if there was no positive response from the Government within 15 days.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail