Khader blames Centre for denying subsidised kerosene to fishermen

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 02, 2018:  State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader has blamed the Centre for the  problems facing fishermen due to non-availability of subsidised kerosene oil.

 

Speaking to reporters at Circuit House, the Minister said  the Centre has issued an order against providing subsidised  kerosene for any other purpose except for cooking. Though the State had written to the Centre requesting for a change in the order, it has received a reply in the negative, Khader said and added that the state government was making alternate arrangements.

The Government would purchase kerosene from the open market  and distribute  to fishermen at subsidized rates, he said. The CM has provided  special grant of Rs 53 crores for the purpose, he said  adding Rs 3.5 crore grant has been released for Udupi and DK districts. The government will provide 300 litres of kerosene oil for  each of the 4,514 country boats in DK, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.