Retailers in Chennai likely to stock kerosene oil to tide over LPG crisis

With the Union government releasing additional stocks of kerosene, fuel outlets are likely to stock superior kerosene oil (SKO) as an alternative fuel to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for commercial consumers. It is also likely that coal too would be sold through different channels for use in homes and commercial establishments.

Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association president K. P. Murali, said that the Centre has directed the Petroleum Ministry to grant permission to the oil marketing companies to issue immediate permission to establish temporary sheds in retail outlets to store and supply SKO. This will be for a quantity of up to 2,500 litres, he said adding that this was a welcome move and would benefit commercial LPG consumers. This is likely be a temporary arrangement to tide over the present West Asia crisis.

A dealer said, "Many dealers are not aware of this proposal. It will be stopped very quickly, just like the proposal to sell vegetables at bunks. Everyone has adapted to LPG, and commercial users won't even have kerosene-powered stoves. The supply of kerosene via bunks was stopped several decades to prevent black marketing and adulteration of diesel, since kerosene is a subsidised product. There are very few kerosene stockists, and they will get supply only if the District Collector allots."

Another dealer said that the dealership agreement does not include SKO. "We are already short staffed and don't have enough space in the retail outlets for vehicles. Where will we find space for a temporary shed to store kerosene, which is a safety hazard," he asked.

Meanwhile marriage halls are worried about the three muhurtham dates this month and some more next month. A. John Amalraj, State president, Tamil Nadu Marriage Hall Owners Association said that they were the ones who had to arrange for LPG cylinders for weddings.

"With restrictions on commercial cylinders, we do not know how we will manage the weddings lined up. We are requesting the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to help us to assist those getting married. Nearly 70,000 weddings have been slated over the coming weeks," he said.