Question : DBT for Kerosene

(a) whether the Government has launched/proposes to launch the Direct Benefit Transfer in Kerosene (DBTK) and if so, the details thereof along with the norms/criteria and number of States covered including quantum of funds transferred under DBTK so far, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether it is mandatory or optional for the State Governments to increase the commission of wholesale kerosene dealers and if so, the details thereof along with the recommendations/circular issued by the Government in this regard and the number of States who have increased the commission of wholesale kerosene dealers, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the kerosene quota allocated to various States including Madhya Pradesh is sufficient to meet their demand;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the quantum of kerosene quota allocated/ consumed by various States during the last three years and the current year, State/UTwise;
(e) whether there is any proposal to cut the subsidy for fishermen and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard, State/UT-wise; and
(f) whether the Government has noticed any shortage of kerosene in backward/rural areas wherein people depend on kerosene for lighting their houses and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to ensure adequate and regular supply of kerosene in such areas, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN) (a) Jharkhand has become first State in the country to implement DBTK and other States have been requested to join the Scheme. Under the Scheme, PDS Kerosene is being sold at non subsidised price and subsidy, as admissible, is transferred to consumers directly into his/her bank account. (b) The rates of wholesale Dealer Commission approved by the Central Government serve as guidelines for State/District and local authorities for fixing the retail (consumer) selling price including wholesale dealer commission of kerosene in urban/semi urban and rural areas. (c) to (f) : Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India makes Quarterly Allocation of PDS SKO to States / UTs under the Public Distribution System (PDS) on gross basis for the purpose of cooking and illumination only as provided under the SKO Control Order 1993. Further, distribution of the PDS SKO within the State/UT through their PDS network to various categories of ration card holders is the responsibility of the respective State / UT Government. The scale and criteria of PDS Kerosene distribution including for backward/rural areas are also decided by the respective States / UTs. State/UT-wise details of allocation of PDS Kerosene, during the last three years and the current year and upliftment of PDS Kerosene quota during the last three years and the current year are given in Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively.
----------