THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Finance Minister, KN Balagopal has instructed the finance department to release Rs.1 crore to settle the dues of the fire force towards private petrol pumps as payment for the fuel.

Kerala Kaumudi had reported yesterday that fire force vehicles across the state were unable to travel without fuel. The move from the government follows the news report. When asked about the file at the Minister’s office, the officials were unable to give a clear answer. The replies were that funds were allowed and also not allowed. The related official has no clue about the file.

The order to speed up the procedure was given on Monday morning, the notification has not been given till evening.

Fire force stations in majority of the districts have almost stopped their operations. The file is in the expenditure section of the Finance Department. Most fire force stations hope that funds are released on Tuesday. The officials are concerned because the fire force do not have the capacity now to face an emergency situation.

The fire force has to settle dues for the past six months. The fire force directorate had written many times to the Finance Department informing about the situation. But the Finance Department did not take it seriously. When the petrol pump owners informed the authorities not to come for fueling, the fire force at many places had to use the fuel which was kept for emergency purposes.

The Rs.1 crore dues is the total payment for the fuel that was filled in vehicles at all the 129 fire force stations across the state and also at the headquarters.