Question : DISTRIBUTION OF KEROSENE

(a) whether the Union Government has issued guidelines to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for allocation and distribution of kerosene to ration card holders;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has received complaints regarding violation of guidelines by some State Governments particularly Gujarat and Maharashtra while allocating kerosene under Public Distribution System;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI MURLI DEORA)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 318 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH AUGUST 2006 REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF KEROSENE ASKED BY SHRI JIVABHAI AMBALAL PATEL AND SHRI V.K. THUMMAR.

(a) & (b): The Government of India allocates Kerosene under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to the States/UTs for further distribution to eligible consumers. The States/UTs decide the quantity to be issued to each ration card holder under various categories. The norms adopted vary from State to State. The distribution of kerosene is governed under the Control Orders issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

(c) : No, Sir.

(d) & (e): Do not arise in view of reply to (c) above.