Nagpur: Maharashtra govt has doubled the commission paid to retail kerosene dealers, hiking it from Rs675 per kilolitre to Rs1,350 per kilolitre, as it moved to resume kerosene distribution across the state on a temporary basis to compensate for an LPG shortage caused by the prevailing geopolitical situation. The decision was taken by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department along with another major change made to kerosene transport rates for wholesale dealers, including a 40% hike in incidental non-diesel expenses and provisions for diesel price-linked escalation. The resumption of kerosene distribution follows a central govt order dated March 12 allocating 3,744 kilolitres of kerosene to Maharashtra as an alternative fuel. On transport rates, the GR directed that wholesale kerosene dealers be paid an extraordinary allowance of 0.25% of the prevailing ex-depot rate to compensate for losses arising from temperature variation and handling. In addition, the non-diesel incidental cost component of kerosene transport rates was raised by 40% over the rates last revised by a GR dated July 10, 2013.For diesel-linked cost increases, the GR prescribed an escalation formula based on the difference between diesel prices on April 1, 2012, and April 1, 2026. The formula accounts for a vehicle fuel average of 3.5 kilometres per litre and a standard tank lorry capacity of 12 kilolitres. District collectors and the Controller of Rationing and Director of Civil Supplies, Mumbai, were empowered to revise kerosene transport rates annually on April 1 using this formula, based on prevailing diesel prices on that date.All district collectors and the Controller of Rationing have been directed to factor in the revised retail commission, wholesale dealer commissions, GST, transport rates, the extraordinary allowance, and other incidental costs to immediately issue revised public distribution kerosene rate notifications for their respective districts, with a copy to be sent to the state govt.
