THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has urged the Prime Minister to take steps to ensure smooth supply of kerosene to the traditional fishermen in Kerala.
Against a demand for 15,000 kilo litre kerosene per month the supply is an average of 2525 kilolitre only, Chandy pointed out in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, the Union Petroleum Ministry brought in certain restrictions in the supply of kerosene to traditional fishermen. Kerala is one of the few states where traditional fishermen still use kerosene for fishing activities. There are about 11.43 lakh people working in this sector.
Quoting a 1994 notification, the CM said the government can give permission for traditional fishermen to use kerosene, supplied through the Public Distribution System, for fishing activities.
The state government takes this as a welfare measure. Hindrance to kerosene distribution would lead to social, economic and law and order issues in the state, he further added. Considering these factors, the Prime Minister should issue directions to the Petroleum Ministry to continue kerosene supply without any hindrance, the CM said in his letter.