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Kerosene woes leave people in dark

People having domestic gas connection are denied of kerosene
Last Updated 15 February 2012, 17:42 IST

Government has stopped providing kerosene to those households, which have domestic gas connection. With power cuts being frequent in the Malnad region, the dependence of the people on kerosene lamps is high. This decision of the Government has left the people in the region in lurch.

District Food and Civil Supplies Department has been supplying kerosene to town consumers through Tahsildars and to rural consumers through Executive Officers.In NR Pura town there are 690 ration card holders including Anthyodaya, BPL, APL and card holders without domestic gas connections. Every month they require 4,104 litres of kerosene with an average of six litres per card. In rural areas three litre is being supplied per card. However, for those with domestic gas connection, not even one litre kerosene is being given. 

On August 17, 2011, a letter was written from District Food and Civil Supplies Department Deputy Director to the Department Commissioner demanding supply of kerosene to even those families which have domestic gas connection. The letter said that since Chikmagalur has hilly topography and since power crisis has been a constant problem, every household with domestic gas connection too should be given at least two litres of kerosene.

Replying to the same, the office of the Commissioner said that the request cannot be considered because there are no provisions to provide kerosene to those ration card holders who have domestic gas connections. 

On December 29, 2011 the office of the Commissioner wrote to all the Deputy Directors of the Department informing that no further letters should be sent to the Commissioner keeping forth this unreasonable demand.

The reply of the Commissioner and the following letters has irked the citizens who say that the Commissioner who sits in an a/c chamber cannot assess the problems of the people. 

Farmer leaders say that kerosene is not available even in open market. In such a situation Government is distributing Irrigation Pump Sets run on kerosene, which is ridiculous. 

“What is the point having a kerosene run pump set when kerosene is not available,” he question.

Responding to the same MLA D N Jeevaraj said that Central Government has made a rule that kerosene should not be given to those with domestic gas connection. He promised to hold discussion with the CM and find solution.

However, the farmer leaders say that State should ask the Centre to supply more kerosene. They say that the move of replacing the old public distribution system has thrown common man’s life out of gear. Now, the Governments which are not interested in solving the problems of the people are busy mudslinging.

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(Published 15 February 2012, 17:42 IST)

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