Question : SELLING OF EURO- III AND BHARAT- II PETROL DIESEL IN NCR

to the reply given to Unstarred Question No. 4474 dated 25.08.2005 regarding rates of Euro-II/III Petrol/Diesel and state :

(a) whether Euro-III Equivalent Diesel/Petrol Introduced in National Capital Region (NCR) is costing more as compared to Bharat Stage II, diesel/petrol;

(b) if so, whether the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been directed to charge prices for Euro III equivalent diesel/petrol to Bharat Stage II;

(c) if so, whether the Government is aware that this step is helping the private oil companies to earn more profit as they are getting more recoveries for HSD/Petrol by selling their products out of NCR; and

(d) if so, the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard ?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) : Yes, Sir.

(b): No, Sir. However, the prices of Euro-III equivalent diesel is same as that for Bharat Stage II diesel in the entire country. There is a marginal difference in the price of Euro-III equivalent petrol and Bharat Stage II petrol, to partially cover the additional cost.

(c)&(d): While the retail selling prices of petrol and diesel are fixed by the OMCs on an industry basis in consultation with the Government, the private marketing companies are free to fix their own prices. As such, minor variations are likely in the rates charged by the OMCs and private companies.