Thiruvananthapuram: The state government will distribute kerosene through ration shops this month, providing one litre to households with electricity connections and four litres to households without electricity, as part of efforts to clear a backlog in central allocation.

The decision was taken to complete distribution within a single month due to pending kerosene stocks allocated by the Centre, which are typically supplied once every three months.

The kerosene allotted for the fourth quarter of the 2025–26 financial year will be issued to all eligible ration card holders, including those who purchased kerosene in January and February and those who did not. Distribution will depend on stock availability in each taluk.

The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has directed supply officers to complete kerosene distribution before March 31. The failure to do so could result in the state losing its allocated quota.

Several taluks do not have wholesale kerosene outlets, forcing ration shop dealers to procure stock from neighbouring taluks. The high transportation cost has discouraged many dealers from lifting the allotted quantity from distant locations.

As a result, several ration card holders were unable to receive their kerosene entitlement during the previous quarterly distribution cycle, contributing to the present backlog.

The full distribution this month will depend on whether all ration shops lift their allocated stock. If some shops fail to do so, beneficiaries may use the ration portability system to purchase kerosene from any ration shop across the state.