Reconsider scrapping of kerosene supply through PDS: Panneerselvam

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the central government's decision to scrap the supply of subsidised kerosene through the public distribution system (PDS).

The chief minister also requested Modi to restore kerosene allocation to the state to 65,140 kilo litres per month.

In a letter to Modi, text of which was released to the media here, Panneerselvam referred to reports about the decision to scrap the supply of subsidised kerosene and said: "Such a harsh and punitive measure, it would impose considerable hardship on the people of Tamil Nadu."

"In many parts of Tamil Nadu, particularly in rural areas, most households use kerosene as the main cooking fuel. In addition, even in other households it is used as a supplementary and starter fuel," Panneerselvam said.

According to him, kerosene is also used for supplementary lighting purposes in remote areas and most households have only a single cooking gas connection.

"In such circumstances, I strongly urge you (Modi) to instruct the ministry of finance to reconsider any such proposal to scrap the supply of subsidised kerosene through the PDS and also to transfer the subsidy element by cash or other alternatives," he said.