West Bengal: Calls Intensify for Examination of Kerosene Distribution via PDS
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Kolkata, Dec 7 (NationPress) As alarming statistics emerge regarding the high kerosene consumption in West Bengal relative to the national average, there is a growing demand for a thorough examination of the kerosene allocated through the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state.
According to BJP Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya from West Bengal, whose inquiries prompted the Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to reveal that West Bengal alone accounts for 66.38% of the national kerosene usage, the illegal sale of PDS-supplied kerosene in the open market is widespread in the region.
“Numerous individuals do not buy kerosene through the PDS system. The entire quota is often sold in the open market, with some even crossing the border to be sold illegally in Bangladesh. This kerosene is provided at a subsidized rate by the Union government,” Bhattacharya stated.
On Friday, Amit Malviya, the head of BJP’s IT cell and the party’s special observer for West Bengal, remarked that despite extensive LPG coverage, the state still consumes approximately 67% of the national kerosene, suggesting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is leading the state towards decline.
“What could be the cause? Poverty, black market activities, or a large influx of illegal migrants serving as vote banks for the ruling TMC?” Malviya questioned.
Regulations stipulate that only authorized PDS cardholders are permitted to purchase kerosene, and only up to a specific limit. The district administration and the state Enforcement Branch are tasked with conducting regular inspections to ensure that kerosene is sold only to individuals with valid PDS cards.
In fact, in June of this year, the Union government had issued a directive to the West Bengal government to address the misuse of kerosene in the state. Complaints have been raised about kerosene being mixed with petrol and diesel, resulting in adulterated products being sold in the open market.
