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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 1093
ANSWERED ON – 09/02/2026
HIGH KEROSENE CONSUMPTION IN WEST BENGAL
1093 SHRI SAMIK BHATTACHARYA:
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) the actual consumption and allocation of PDS kerosene (SKO) in the State of West
Bengal during FY 2024–25 and the allocation made so far in FY 2025–26, along with its
percentage share of national kerosene allocation;
(b) whether it is a fact that the State of West Bengal continues to account for the single
largest share of kerosene consumption in the country, even after near-saturation of LPG and
PNG coverage; and
(c) whether Government has examined the reasons for such abnormally high dependence on
kerosene in the State, including issues of leakages, diversion, misuse, delayed transition to
clean fuels, or State-level distribution policies?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINI STRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL
GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) and (b) Government, under Public Distribution Superior Kerosene Oil (PDS SKO)
Allocation Policy, makes allocation of PDS Kerosene to States/UTs on quarterly basis for
cooking & lighting and for special needs (fisheries, mela, exhibitions, pandemic, calamity
etc.). The States have liberty to sub- allocate PDS SKO based on their specific requirement.
Owing to consistent efforts of the Government of India and with the support of States
Governments/UT Administrations, there has been a substantial reduction in PDS SKO
allocation from 1.12 crore KL in 2010-11 to 3.82 lakh KL in 2024-25. Presently, 21
States/UTs are PDS SKO Free.
The details of total allocation of PDS SKO made to States/UTs and West Bengal during FY
2024- 25 and 2025-26 along with its upliftment and not lifted by State of West Bengal are as
under:
Fig. In KL
FY Total PDS PDS SKO W.B % Share in Upliftment of PDS Not lifted by
SKO Allocation to total PDS SKO SKO by West West Bengal
Allocation to West Bengal allocation to Bengal
States/UTs States/UTs
2024-25 4,64,112 3,26,160 70.28% 2,42,039 84121 (25.79%)
2025-26 4,71,870 2,48,304 52.62% 1,79,463 6765 (3.63%)
(till Q3)
(Out of Allocation
of 1,86,228 till Q3)
Source: PPAC(c) Allocation of PDS Kerosene is made as per PDS SKO Allocation Policy. Thereafter,
distribution of PDS Kerosene within the State/UT under PDS network is carried out by the
concerned State/UT. Scale and criteria of the distribution is, accordingly, also decided by the
respective State/UT. State Governments are required to ensure that the allocated quantity of
PDS SKO is not diverted for adulteration of petrol/diesel or for any other unintended use.
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