The Assam government has directed all Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) to collect samples of blue-dyed kerosene (meant for the Public Distribution System) from sensitive areas and depots and send them to the Forensic Laboratory in Guwahati for investigation.
The directive came in the wake of explosion of stoves and lamps using the PDS kerosene.
A woman was killed and several others were injured in lower Assam’s Dhubri district in an explosion, suspected to have been caused by the highly inflammable substance in the kerosene, according to a release.
The district authorities have been directed to take all preventive steps to ensure the safety of consumers.
The government has asked the authorities to associate Indian Oil Corporation officials in the enquiry.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Nazrul Islam on Thursday visited Dhubri and met the family members of the victim, Archana Ghosh. He also visited the Dhubri Civil Hospital, where those injured in similar explosions are recuperating. He handed over ex gratia of Rs. 5,000 to the next of kin of the woman and a seriously injured person.
Sub-Divisional officer (Civil), Bilasipara, has asked all secretaries of the Gaon Panchayat Samabay Samity, fair price shop dealers, agents, kerosene oil hawkers and retailers to immediately stop the distribution of blue-dyed kerosene oil.