Kerala - Kozhikode   

3.98 lakh families to be denied kerosene supply

Staff Reporter

On account of new control by Union Government

KOZHIKODE: As many as 3,98913 ration card holders in the Above Poverty Line (APL) category in the district will not get kerosene when control on kerosene supply announced by the Union Government recently comes into effect.

It will put in difficulty those who depend on the commodity for lighting and cooking purposes, besides for operating fishing vessels.

All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers' Association organising secretary T. Mohammed Ali has said that as per a recent Government order, only 1,71,778 card holders in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category in the district will be entitled to kerosene supply. As per the Centre's stipulation, of the 70 lakh card holders in the State, only 25 per cent fall under the BPL category.

Around 60 per cent of the families among the card holders in the State are those who have an income very close to the BPL category, and 30 lakh card holders depend on the kerosene supply for lighting and cooking purposes.

`PDS under threat'

Mr. Ali says that the new order will also put the very existence of the Public Distribution System in jeopardy. Majority of the APL cardholders visit ration shops only to get the two-litre kerosene quota. With the new control, most of the shops will face closure.

There are as many as 768 ration shops in the district, with the Kozhikode Corporation, Vadakara and Koyilandy municipality areas accounting for 195. As many as 77, 226 card holders in the corporation area will not be entitled to kerosene supply under the new rule.

The kerosene allotment to the district was to the tune of 2,208 kilo litres

The kerosene was being distributed at the rate of five litres for households that are not electrified, two litres each for houses that are electrified, and for cooking purposes.

Mr. Ali alleges that the step-motherly attitude of the Centre towards Kerala is evident from the lack of any special allotment during the Onam season.

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