CPIML Bihar State Secretary Kunal said in a statement on 4 July 2020 that the decision to ban the sale of loose oil is an anti-poor decision. He pointed out that most people in the country are unable to buy oil tins because of poverty and financial straits. They somehow manage to buy 50g or 100g oil and manage their needs. This being the case, the government must consider how the poor will be able to run their households if sale of loose oil is banned.
The government has not only banned the sale of loose oil, but has also imposed strict punishment for violating the ban. Violation can lead to a sentence from 6 months to life imprisonment; in addition, a fine of Rs 10 lakhs may also be imposed. Clearly, the brunt of this ban will be suffered by the poor.
The government is doing this in the name of curbing adulteration of oil. But instead of finding ways to stop adulteration, the ban on loose oil will impose a greater burden of problems on the poor who are already coping with various kinds of distress.
