Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Nov 17: The State President, Bhartiya Janta Party, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr Vishal Jolly has raised serious concerns over the administrative step of stopping Kerosene Oil in the territory without giving 100% LPG coverage to the residents especially those belong to the remote islands.
In a letter addressed to the Lt Governor, Mr Jolly stated that as mandated, 100% of LPG coverage has not been ensured in the territory making complete stoppage of subsidized Kerosene Oil is a reason for misery of many. There is also a gap in the coverage of beneficiaries under Ujjwala Scheme, Mr Jolly stated.
Mr Jolly stated that the system of healthy and ensured distribution of cylinders and refills in the territory is still a long way off due to very limited vessels that are authorized to carry dangerous cargo.
“Even in North & Middle Andaman due to non- motor able ATR / NH – a life line for the territory, there is a scarcity of LPG,” Mr Jolly stated in his letter.
He also mentioned that Kerosene Oil is also used in remote locations for lighting and other sundry domestic purposes due to the regular disruption of electricity etc. thus, without doubt people of remote corners are very much annoyed by the sudden stoppage of Kerosene Oil.
The BJP State President further added that the idea behind stoppage of subsidized Kerosene Oil by government is to ensure 100% LPG coverage (that is the use of clean fuel), the government has not stopped sale of Kerosene Oil for other purposes.
“Considering the ground realities, the administration must have put in place a mechanism to address the issue rather than making people suffer on account of it and thus, giving a bad name of the NDA government in the eyes of the public,” Mr Jolly further stated in his letter.
Mr Jolly also added that there is no structured arrangement as yet, nor there is any thought being given for price equalization by the administration so that it is available throughout the territory at a single rate as it is the case with sale of LPG cylinders, petrol, diesel etc.
Mr Jolly finally demanded the Lt Governor to take a call on this and order a structured arrangement for the distribution of Kerosene Oil preferably through PDS (as it has reach upto the remotest areas).
He also requested to make Kerosene Oil available at the same price throughout the territory and demanded to wave off VAT from Kerosene Oil so that the prices are within reach of the common man.
