Port Blair, Aug 25: The All India Kisan Sabha, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, State Committee have strongly opposed the Administration’s decision to stop supply of Kerosene Oil through Public Distribution System throughout the islands. In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of A & N Islands, Dr. Gouranga Majhi, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha, A & N State Committee expressed concern over the unilateral decision taken by the Administration which will affect a large number of population who are living with a meager amount of income such as small workers, forest dwellers, contract workers, low income farmers, fishermen etc. who are using Kerosene not only as a fuel for cooking but to lit the kerosene lamps also.

In the letter, the General Secretary also informed about the present crisis of LPG in the islands where the LPG distributors are unable to cater the regular supply of filled LPG cylinders to the customers on time. He also mentioned that the cost of LPG cylinders will hit hard on the pockets on these low income people if they are forced to opt for LPG connections. These poor people barely manage their livelihood with the small amount of salary they receive as income. He also pointed towards the conditions in the interior areas of North, Middle & Southern Group of Islands where the people even don’t have proper road connectivity. 

The All India Kisan Sabha demanded immediate withdrawal of the Administration’s decision to make islands ‘PDS Kerosene Oil Free’ from 01st September, 2019 and not to force these poor low income people to shift to LPG connection.