Rajasthan Grapples with Kerosene Distribution Dilemma Following Union Government Directive
A recent notification from the Union government instructing states to distribute kerosene through the Public Distribution System (PDS) has sparked significant administrative confusion in Rajasthan. This directive presents a unique challenge for the state, which has maintained a completely kerosene-free status since January 2021.
Historical Context and Current Challenges
Officials within Rajasthan's food and civil supplies department have highlighted that the state ceased receiving PDS kerosene allocations after the Union ministry reduced its allocation to zero during the fourth quarter of the 2020-21 fiscal year. Consequently, Rajasthan has operated without any kerosene distribution infrastructure or reserve stocks for over three years.
Ambrish Kumar, Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Forum, emphasized the immediate logistical hurdles. "The most critical challenge we face is sourcing kerosene itself. Currently, we possess no available stocks whatsoever," he stated, underscoring the practical difficulties of implementing the new directive.
The Union Government's Notification
The confusion stems from a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on March 29. The notification cited "the prevailing geo-political situation affecting energy supplies worldwide" as the rationale behind the decision. It announced an 'ad hoc allocation' of PDS Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) to states and Union Territories.
Notably, this allocation includes 21 states and UTs that are officially designated as PDS SKO-free, with the kerosene intended for household cooking and lighting purposes. This blanket directive has introduced considerable uncertainty within Rajasthan's administrative circles, forcing a reevaluation of a phased-out system.
Infrastructure and Market Readiness Issues
Beyond the absence of fuel stocks and a distribution network, officials have identified another significant problem unique to kerosene-free states: the complete disappearance of kerosene stoves from the market.
Mahadev Meena, a kitchen appliances wholesaler, confirmed this market shift. He explained that kerosene stoves are no longer available in Rajasthan's retail markets. Retailers now exclusively stock modified stoves designed for small LPG cylinders. Furthermore, kerosene tanks and related spare parts have vanished from the supply chain, creating a secondary barrier to any potential distribution effort.
The situation leaves Rajasthan's administration in a complex position, tasked with reviving a distribution system for a fuel it no longer uses, amidst a market that has moved on to alternative energy sources.
