Question : Pilferage of Kerosene

(a) the details of adulteration/ diversion/black-marketing and pilferage of kerosene from various States under Public Distribution System by organised gang/persons in the country;
(b) if so, the details of cases of irregularities reported during the last three years and the current year and action taken by the Government against the persons/kerosene dealers involved in such malpractices, State/UT/OMC-wise;
(c) whether the State Governments have requested for increasing the Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) and if so, the details thereof along with per capita PDS SKO allotted and consumed in the country during the said period along with the reasons for variation/reduction in per capita allocation of PDS kerosene among various States particularly for weaker sections of Antyodaya Anna Yojana and BPL beneficiaries, State/UT-wise including Gujarat;
(d) whether the Government proposes to start Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for transfer of kerosene subsidy direct into the consumers account; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the total amount of subsidy being transferred in the country at present along with any assessment/consultations made with State Governments in this regard to extend the scheme throughout the country and reduction of subsidy amount as a result thereof, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b) : PDS Kerosene is supplied to Kerosene Wholesalers on Ex-MI (Marketing Installation) basis by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Further,
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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, 90 cases of irregularities like adulteration, black marketing, diversion, pilferage and other irregularities in distribution of PDS kerosene were detected during the last three years and current year (April-September, 2015). During this period, 3 kerosene wholesalers were terminated for irregularities such as diversion/black marketing of kerosene. The State-wise and OMC-wise details of irregularities detected and action taken thereon for last three year and current year (April-September, 2015) is at Annexure-I and II respectively.
(c) : 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-III and Annexure-IV 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 Antyodaya Anna Yojana, Below Poverty Line is done by the State/UT Governments.
The Government allocates PDS Kerosene to States/UTs including the State of Gujarat on quarterly basis for distribution under PDS for cooking and illumination only. Further distribution within the States/UTs through their PDS network to various categories of ration card holders as per their respective criteria, is the responsibility of the concerned States/UTs.
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.
(d) & (e) : Government of India intends to implement Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme in kerosene in 25 Districts identified by the State Governments, on a Pilot basis.
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