Question : ADULTERATION IN PETROL DIESEL

(a) whether the incidents of under measurement and adulteration of petrol/diesel by various petrol pumps have been noticed by the Government during the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of complaints against the petrol pumps/persons involved received by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and the punitive action including cancellation of their licences, taken against them, State/OMC-wise; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to launch regular drives/surprise checks at national level to curb such malpractices and ensure efficient service to customers by various petrol pumps in the country during the said period, State/OMC-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b) : During the last three years and current year Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) namely, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have detected malpractices including under-measurement and adulteration at their retail outlets in the country. As per data made available, State/OMC-wise detail of cases of under-measurement and adulteration detected at retail outlets during the last three years and current year (April September) are annexed as Annexure-I.

In case of proven cases of under-measurement and adulteration, there is provision to cancel license in the MDG/Dealership Agreement. OMCs have terminated 193 retail outlets for such irregularities during the last three years and current year (April September). State/ OMC-wise detail for the said period is annexed as Annexure-II.

(c) : Public Sector OMCs undertake regular and surprise inspection of Retail Outlets and take action under the provisions of the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) and Dealership Agreements against the outlets found indulging in irregularities/malpractices. The MDG provides for termination of outlets in the first instance itself for serious malpractices and graded penalties for other malpractices/irregularities. The Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 issued by the Central Government under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 provides for punitive action also against malpractices such as adulteration. Provisions are also available in the contractual documents and administrative guidelines to prevent and punish malpractices. Several initiatives to prevent irregularities in Retail Outlets have been taken that include Automation of Retail Outlets, Third Party Certification of Retail outlets and Monitoring of movement of tank trucks through Global Positioning System (GPS). State/OMC-wise detail of inspections carried out by OMCs at retail outlets during the last three years and current year (April September) is annexed as Annexure-III.