Nitish asks centre to allow kerosene distribution by BSFCSC

New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today appealed to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to allow the state government for the issuance of licence for storage, supply and distribution of kerosene oil in favour of the Bihar State Food, Civil Supplies Corporation.

According to the chief minister, distribution of kerosene oil through public distribution system has been posing serious difficulties in the state.

With a view to check misuse of kerosene, the state government has been deliberating on measures like granting trade and business of supply and distribution of white Kerosene wholly to the Corporation which is owned by the state governemnt and has a network in every district of the state, Mr Kumar informed Mr Deora.

The Chief Minister asked for certain legal formalities to be completed by the Union Petroleum Ministry to enable the state governemnt company to carry the trade and business of supply and distribution of kerosene. In this regard, the Chief Minister had already written a letter to the Petroleum Minister and the Chief Secretary of the state had also written to the Petroleum Secretary.

As the constitution permits carrying on by the state or by a corporatino owned and controlled by the state of any trade and business in public interest. Thus, for equitable distribution of subsidized kerosene to needy consumers, such steps are essential in Bihar, he said.

UNI AJ RA GC1937