Mir Farhat
Srinagar, Jan 12: Hundreds of kerosene dealers today held protest demonstration at Lal Chowk, demanding revocation of the Central Government’s decision.
Unlike other protesters who usually raise slogans, the kerosene dealers carried drums and other musical instruments to protest.
Demonstrating under Kerosene Dealers Association, the protesters said that the livelihood of 4000 people depends on retail depots, and by cutting the supplies things will get worse for them.
President of the dealers Ghulam Rasool Shah said that by the “partial” decision of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas the state will get 19 lakh liters per month less kerosene oil than it got as per the earlier supply.
Shah claimed that a delegation of kerosene dealers met the Oil Minister in New Delhi to register their protest over the decision. He said the minster informed them that they have not decided to rescind the decision yet.
State’s Commissioner Secretary to Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Baseer Khan told Excelsior that they have taken up the matter with the Central Government and “we are waiting for their written decision.”
The dealers said that earlier each ration card holder would get 4.48 liters and after the cut he will get mere three liters of kerosene per month.
They appealed to the Government of India to rescind the order and allot the state the earlier supply.
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