GUWAHATI, April 25 - Strongly opposing the new set of rules for the allocation of subsidised kerosene oil in the Kamrup Metropolitan district, the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union has demanded of the DC Kamrup Metro to roll back the decision that will adversely hit the licensed hawkers and a section of common people as well.
The Union, while criticising the order of Kamrup Metro DC Virendra Mittal, said that the nearly 800 licensed hawkers who distribute subsidised kerosene and play a significant role in the PDS system, would have to face immense difficulties with their allocation reduced to merely 200 litres.
�Our allocation is being reduced gradually year after year, leaving nearly 800 hawkers and their families in the lurch. However, this time it is straightaway curtailed to 200 litres from 600 litres for the month of April and May. Further, another rider of selling the oil on the outskirts like Sonapur and Khetri has been attached, which is going to make the work all the more difficult for us,� said JP Singh, president, and Sudip Kumar Ghosh, secretary of the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union.
The Union also alleged that the order that came on April 20, 2018 has been passed in haste without considering about the impact it would have on the persons associated with the work.
�Earlier, there was a provision of distributing the oil through the points fixed by the local councillors. But now, the hawkers need to travel to opposite ends of the city to receive their allocation and again to distribute it among people. Apart from the additional cost they have to incur in the entire process, there are also the chances of untoward incidents, when the people would discover that the hawker of their area is distributing oil in some other area of the city,� the Union office-bearers said.
Asking the administration to roll back the new order and reinstate the previous system, the Union said it would take strong action if their demands go unheard.
