15-07-2025
Penalty imposed on ration agency for not supplying kerosene to Edamalakudy
The kerosene ration allocated to the tribal panchayat in Edamalakudy has been lying unclaimed for the past two years, even as residents depend on firewood, solar lamps, and battery torches to meet lighting purposes.
Only 110 of the 800 houses in the village have power connections. According to officials, the Devikulam Girijan Cooperative Society, which is in charge of ration distribution at Edamalakudy, stopped ration kerosene supply in April 2023.
Kanthiraj, a resident of the Edalipparakkudy tribal settlement, says they have not received kerosene from the ration shop in the past two years. 'Kerosene was used for lighting lamps in homes, and after the distribution stopped, families are using solar light, battery torches, and firewood during night, which has added to our financial burden,' he says. Sreekrishnan, a resident of the Shedukudy tribal settlement, says the same is the case in his settlement
Residents say the electrification process has been completed in only three of the 26 settlements in Edamalakkudy.
'As there is no electricity connection for over 500 families in the settlement, they are eligible for six litre of kerosene every three months. However, the Girijan society stopped kerosene collection from April 2023 onwards. As per the rule, the licensee must collect the kerosene allotment and ensure distribution to the cardholders,' says Sanjaynath R., civil supply officer of Devikulam taluk.
'For the past two years, the society has not collected 14,500 litres of kerosene meant for Edamalakkudy. Citing that kerosene has not been collected for over two years, the Civil Supplies department has slapped a penalty of ₹9,79,090 on the tribal cooperative society functioning in the area. Though rice and other essential items are provided free of charge, the price of kerosene must be paid for in advance. The price of one litre of kerosene is ₹65,' he says.
Meanwhile, the State Food Commission intervened to ensure proper ration distribution at Edamalakkudy.
Chairperson Ginu Zacharia Oommen said the commission, on receiving a report from the Idukki district supply officer, directed the Tribal Welfare department and the Integrated Tribal Development Project office to ensure a proper system for smooth ration distribution in the tribal panchayat.
