West Bengal Sees Kerosene Revival as LPG Shortage Forces Fuel Policy Reversal
In a significant setback to India's clean cooking fuel initiative, West Bengal is witnessing a dramatic return to kerosene usage after more than a decade of gradual phase-out. The reversal comes as households across the state grapple with an acute shortage of LPG refills, triggered by global supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions.
Ten-Fold Increase in Kerosene Allocation
Faced with mounting pressure, oil marketing companies (OMCs) have sharply increased kerosene allocation to West Bengal for the current quarter. According to official figures, the quarterly allocation has been raised from 410 kilolitres to 4,100 kilolitres—a staggering ten-fold increase.
An official from a leading oil marketing company confirmed the revised allocation has already been communicated to the state government. "Since the current quarter effectively ends on March 31, the state will receive this allotment for just about 17 days, which means the effective rise is actually much higher than 10 times," the official explained.
This translates to a daily supply increase from 4.5 kilolitres per day last month to over 241 kilolitres per day for the remainder of March. The kerosene is primarily distributed through the Public Distribution System via ration shops across the state.
Global Supply Disruptions Trigger Crisis
The sudden spike in kerosene demand is directly linked to ongoing fuel supply disruptions triggered by conflicts in West Asia, which have severely affected LPG availability nationwide. With refill delays and panic booking reported in several parts of the country, many households have started falling back on kerosene for their daily cooking needs.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier urged higher kerosene allotment following the LPG crisis, highlighting the severity of the situation for ordinary citizens. The state's return to kerosene marks a significant departure from the policy of gradually phasing out the fuel in favor of cleaner LPG over the past decade.
Policy Reversal After Years of Progress
The Centre recently allowed temporary use of kerosene for household cooking and coal for hotels and restaurants to help manage the LPG shortage. This decision represents a sharp policy reversal that contradicts years of progress toward cleaner cooking fuels.
Since 2012, the Union government has steadily reduced kerosene production and state-wise allocation while encouraging households to switch to LPG. The push intensified significantly after the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which aimed to replace traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, and kerosene with LPG in rural households across India.
The current crisis demonstrates how global supply chain disruptions can undermine domestic policy achievements, forcing temporary reversals that may have long-term implications for India's clean energy transition and public health objectives related to indoor air pollution.
