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Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Panchayati Raj has said that in addition to the incentive for diversion in the form of the price difference between kerosene and diesel, the large number of retail shops and a wide spread area of operation per kerosene wholesale dealer encourage diversion of PDS kerosene for unauthorized use. Therefore Shri Aiyar said that the practical remedy lies in strengthening the distribution network to ensure delivery of low priced kerosene to the intented beneciaries in the country specially those living below poverty line. Delivering the inaugural address at a meeting of State/UT Ministers of Civil Supplies and Panchayati Raj Shri Aiyar informed that there are on an average over 75 ration shops operated under State Governments per kerosene wholesaler of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the country. In all huge network of 5 lakh ration shops get PDS kerosene from 6,547 kerosene wholesalers. On top of that about 46% blocks do not have any kerosene wholesaler dealer.
Shri Aiyar announced that a Pilot Project for Strengthening the PDS Kerosene Distribution Network will be launched on the Gandhi Jayanti Day this year in selected blocks of different States/UTs which have opted for implementation of the Scheme. The innovative pilot project is aimed at radically revamping PDS Kerosene distribution network so that the subsidized product reach intended beneficiaries and the diversion of the PDS kerosene is capped, reversed and eventually eliminated. “The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj would also need to play a pivotal role in association with State/ UT Administration in monitoring the distribution mechanism” he emphasised.
The pilot project will initially cover upto 10% of the blocks in 6 months and 512 blocks shortlisted in different States/Uts. Shri Aiyar said that the States which have not joined so far, may also opt to be part of the Sheme. Salient features of the scheme include establishing storage tank with a minimum capacity of 20 kilolitre, dispensing pumps, adequate number of barrels for delivery of SKO to sub wholesale points which may be selected by the wholesaler in consultation with district administration, Barrel-Shed at dealers’ premises, the delivery of kerosene upto wholesale points by OMCs, attaching retail points to the sub-wholesale points by District administration, dedicated fleet of trucks/tank lorries painted with a logo and message for mass awareness, etc. Panchayati Raj Institutions will be actively involved in grievance redressal mechanism through constitution of vigilance committees at Gram Panchayat,Iintermediate and District levels with at least three members of which two may be women. Based on the experience, the Scheme would be extended to cover all blocks after effectiveness has been evaluated by an independent agency.
RCJ/KC/ (29.7.05)
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