NEW DELHI: A proposal to snap supply of kerosene to ration card holders having electricity and cooking gas connections was opposed in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, with a member saying it would severely impact fishermen who use the fuel to fire their boats.
The issue was raised in the Upper House of Parliament by Jose K Mani of the Kerala Congress (M) through a Zero Hour mention.
“The decision to stop supply of (subsidised) kerosene through ration cards to those holding electricity and cooking gas connections will affect 85 lakh persons in Kerala, specially fishermen,” he said. In Kerala, more than 85 lakh ration cardholders have
power connections. Only 60,128 families have no cooking gas or power connections. At present, ration cardholders who do not have power connection are provided with 4 litres of kerosene at subsidised rates.
Mani said the move by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is based on the premise that subsidised kerosene is to be used only for cooking and lighting purpose.
But this would adversely impact fishermen who use kerosene in their fishing boats, he said. He wanted the “unjust direction issued by the Petroleum Ministry to be withdrawn.”
Tiruchi Siva (DMK), through a separate zero hour mention, raised the issue of drilling of wells to explore oil and natural gas in Tamil Nadu.
While conventional wells drilled to draw out water are drilled at a depth of 100-200 meters, hydrocarbon wells go up to 2000 meters, which “creates space” that gets filled by sea water, he said, adding drilling of oil and gas well has led to the water table going down. He demanded the government should not give any more permissions for drilling of hydrocarbon wells in Tamil Nadu and suspend all such activities in the state. “We are not against development. Do that (drilling of wells for oil and gas) in desert. Let it be done in places where people are not living,” he said.
Jairman Ramesh (Cong) raised the issue of melting of Himalayan glaciers at an alarming rate. “This is a matter of grave concern,” he said, citing a US report that stated that the rate of glacier melting has doubled in the last 15 years.
He wanted the National Institute of Himalayan Glaciology to be strengthened and, if necessary, given the status of national importance.
Also, there must be cooperation with countries on glaciology and monitoring of glacier melting, he said, adding emission of black carbons should be monitored. Viplove Thakur (Cong) wanted air fare between Delhi and Dharmshala to be reduced as it has the potential to impact tourism and employment.
Fare on the sector goes up to as much as Rs 25,000, she said, demanding a committee to monitor fares. Jharna Das Baidhya (CPM) wanted the Centre to take initiative to deal with the drought-like situation in the North East due to delayed monsoon rains.
While Rajmani Patel (Cong) wanted a reservation policy to be implemented in private educational institutions and judiciary, Motilal Vora raised the issue of drug abuse by 8-11 year students in municipal schools of Delhi.
Naresh Goyal (SAD) raised the issue of growing gun culture in the country, with firearms being used with impunity. He said this was a result of failure of policing and wanted police reforms to end gun culture.
Prabhakar Kore (BJP) wanted a direct rail link between Dharwad and Belgaum in north Karnataka as trains at present take three hours to cover a distance of 70 kms due to 80 curves. (AGENCIES)
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