Question : FIRE AT IOC DEPOT AT JAIPUR

(a): Whether the inquiry conducted in the aftermath of the devastating fire in the Indian Oil Corporation fuel storage depot at Jaipur has concluded non-observance of normal safe procedure and sheer negligence as the factors responsible for the colossal loss;

(b): If so the details thereof;

(c): whether the Oil Industry Safety Directorate undertakes safety audit including inspection of the depots and other installations periodically for adherence to safety norms;

(d): If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e): the action Government is taking to ensure that such serious accidents do not recur in future?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI MURLI DEORA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.381 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22-04-2010 REGARDING FIRE AT IOC DEPOT AT JAIPUR

(a) & (b): An Independent Inquiry Committee under the chairmanship of Shri M.B. Lal, Technical Member (P&NG), Appellate Tribunal for Electricity and Ex-Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, constituted by this Ministry to probe the incident of fire at IOC’s POL Terminal at Jaipur has determined that the immediate cause of the fire accident was non-observance of the normal safe procedure which involves sequence of valve operation in the line up activity.

(c) & (d): Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) undertakes safety audits and inspections of oil and gas installations of oil PSUs and monitors the recommendations for compliance. OISD conducts pre-commissioning & post- commissioning audit, external safety audit, surprise safety audits, investigates incident, capacity building and training, evaluates safety performance, etc.

(e): The Committee in its report has pointed out the lapses at operator, supervisory and management level. This Ministry has directed IOC to examine the report and fix the responsibility for the lapses committed at various levels and take action against erring employees for this accident.

The Committee has also recommended numerous short term as well as long term measures for preventing such incidents in future. This Ministry has accepted the recommendations made by the Committee for improvement and ensuring safety and emergency preparedness at POL terminals and advised OMCs to implement the recommendations within a time frame. This Ministry had also convened a meeting on 03-11-2009, to review the safety and security at all oil & gas installations in the country, belonging to both public and private oil companies, in which the oil companies were directed to carry out self safety audit conforming to statutory norms and risk assessment, including OISD standards by 31-12-2009. Such audits have been carried out and report compiled by OISD.