‘93 PDS kerosene irregularities’

MoS for petroleum & natural gas Dharamendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha that quota of PDS kerosene to states/UTs is rationalised based on various factors, such as increase in Domestic LPG/PNG connections, non-lifting of PDS Kerosene quota by the concerned States/UTs in earlier years and cap on the per capita PDS kerosene allocation for non-LPG and non-PNG population. The government has decided to allow States/UTs to draw one month quota of PDS Kerosene at non-subsidised rates during each financial year w.e.f. 2012-13 for special needs. The possibility of black marketing/diversion of PDS Kerosene to derive monetary benefit cannot be ruled out due to huge price difference between PDS kerosene and petrol/diesel. Public Sector OMCs have reported that based on the inspections conducted by them and reports received from respective District/State Authorities, 93 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-June 2014.)