Question : KEROSENE QUOTA FOR FISHERMEN

(a) the details and number of States which are getting additional quota of kerosene for fishing vessels;

(b) whether the Union Government has received any request from various States including Maharashtra to grant kerosene quota in addition to the Public Distribution System (PDS) quota for operation of the outboard mechanized engine vessels belonging to weaker sections of fishermen;

(c) if so, the details and the current status thereof; and

(d) the time by which the kerosene quota is likely to be allocated to various States?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (Dr. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) : No State is getting additional quota of subsidized Kerosene for fishing vessels.

(b) to (d) : The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has stated that requests were received for additional allocation of Kerosene quota from various States including Maharashtra for such purpose. Kerosene at market price have been sanctioned in respect of Tamil Nadu (3200 KL per month) and Daman and Diu (12 KL per month) during September, 2010 and May, 2012 respectively. Looking at such requests of various States/UTs for release of PDS Kerosene for special needs such as natural calamities, religious functions, fisheries, etc., the Government of India has issued a general order dated 21.08.2012 enabling all States/Union Territories (UTs) to draw an allocation of one month’s quota of PDS Kerosene at non-subsidized rates (inclusive excise/custom duty/taxes and excluding under-recovery/fiscal subsidy) during each financial year.