Question : PDS KEROSENE .

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce kerosene marker system to ascertain adulteration/ diversion of kerosene in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total number of cases of irregularities, black-marketing/ leakage of kerosene under the Public Distribution System have been reported during each of the last three years and the current year and follow-up action taken by the Government, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to amend kerosene order to free sale of non-PDS kerosene to stop hoarding and misuse in the market and if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(d) the per capita allocation and consumption of kerosene in the country during each of the last three years and the current year along with the reasons for variation in per capita allocation of PDS kerosene among various States/UTs particularly for weaker sections of the Antyodya Anna Yojana/Below Poverty Line beneficiaries; and

(e) whether the State Governments have requested for increasing the Superior Kerosene Oil allocation in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the quantum of kerosene supplied by the Union Government to the States during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)& (b): The development of a non-launderable marker for Kerosene requires Gas Chromatography (GC) based sophisticated technique which has limited applicability on account of lack of portability. Therefore, the possibility of developing a portable GC based detection device is being explored by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
PDS Kerosene is supplied to Kerosene Wholesalers on Ex-MI (Marketing Installation) basis by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Further, distribution of PDS kerosene within the State to the ration card holders through ration shops/retailers is controlled and supervised by the State Government.
Public Sector OMCs have reported that based on the inspections conducted by them and reports received from respective District/State Authorities, 115 cases of irregularities like adulteration, black marketing, diversion and irregularities in distribution of PDS kerosene were detected during the last three years and current year (April-December, 2014). During this period, 9 kerosene wholesalers were terminated for diversion/black marketing of kerosene. The State-wise details of irregularities detected and action taken thereon for last three year and current year (April-December, 2014) is at Annexure-I.

(c) : With a view to ease the availability of non PDS white Kerosene (market priced Kerosene) for sale in the open market, the Government has amended the Kerosene (Restriction on Use and Fixation of Ceiling Price) Order, 1993. By virtue of this amendment all the activities of storage, transportation and sale of non-PDS Kerosene have been freed of regulatory control. In this regard, the Kerosene (Restriction on Use and Fixation of Ceiling Price) Amendment Order, 2015 has been published in the Gazette of India vide GSR.41(E) dated 19th January, 2015. It is expected that this will reduce demand for diverted PDS Kerosene by improving availability of non-PDS Kerosene in the open market and will thus meet the demand of Kerosene for various legitimate end uses for the industry and for individual consumption at market price.

(d) & (e) : State-wise details of the per capita allocation and consumption of kerosene in the country during each of the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-II and Annexure-III respectively.
The variation in the per capita allocation is on account of historical allocation, difference in LPG coverage etc. The scale of PDS Kerosene allocation to beneficiaries under various categories such as Antyodya Anna Yojana, Below Poverty Line is done by the State/UT Governments and thus PDS Kerosene allocation across various categories is not maintained by this Ministry.
In response to the requests of various State Governments for increased allocation of PDS Kerosene, the Government has allowed the States/UTs to draw one month quota of PDS Kerosene at non-subsidized rates during each financial year w.e.f. 2012-13 for special needs. State/UT-wise detail of allocation made to States/UTs during last three years and current year is at Annexure-IV.