(a) whether any survey has been conducted to check adulteration of fuel in the metropolitan cities;
(b) if so, whether the Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi collected samples from 15 retail outlets in Delhi and 30 outlets in National Capital Region and collected samples from fuel tankers and depots between December 2001 and January 2002;
(c) if so, the results of the samples lifted; and
(d) the action taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS ( SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) : Under directives from Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), Center for Science and Environment (CSE) has conducted the survey in the National Capital Territory (NCT) as well as National Capital Region (NCR).
(b) : Center for Science and Environment (CSE) report indicates that CSE collected samples from 15 Retail Outlets (ROs) of NCT, 30 ROs of NCR, 13 Tank Lorries and 6 Depots during December, 2001 to January, 2002.
(c) : CSE report indicates that 3 samples each of HSD and MS failed to meet relevant BIS specifications and in 12 MS samples Benzene contents were found to be more than 1 %. However, as per the BIS specifications prevalent at the time, Benzene content upto 3% was permissible in MS in metropolitan cities. Only 2 samples had Benzene content of more than 3%.
(d) : The report does not mention the name of the Oil Company/ROs whose samples have failed. The actual failure rate of the samples is low. The Government has initiated several steps to check adulteration.