Question : MOBILE LAB TO CHECK ADULTERATION

(a) whether the Government is aware of the adulteration of Petrol and Petroleum Products probably in nexus between the Tank operators and the petrol pump owners in the country;

(b) whether the Government of Andhra Pradesh and some other States have requested the Union Government to increase the number of Mobile Labs in each district to check adulteration of Petrol and Petroleum Products;

(c) if so, the details in this regard;

(d) the number of Petrol Pumps found involved in said activities in each State during the year 2003-2004 alongwith action taken against them; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government to check the petroleum adulteration?

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

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.357 BY SHRI BADIGA RAMAKRISHA AND SHRI M. APPADURAI TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH AUGUST, 2004 REGARDING MOBILE LAB TO CHECK ADULTERATION.

(a) : The Government does receive reports of adulteration of transportation fuels and other such malpractices by unscrupulous elements.

(b) & (c) : A request was received from Government of Andhra Pradesh for provision of additional mobile laboratories for the State of Andhra Pradesh. The State Government was advised to ensure optimum utilization of the capacity available at the 9 static and 3 mobile laboratories situated in the State. In case of exigencies, the services of the laboratories situated in neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa can also be utilized as is being done in other regions.

(d) : Statewise details of the number of Petrol Pumps found involved in adulteration and action taken against them during 2003-2004 is given at Annexure.

(e) : Government is committed to supplying clean and unadulterated fuel in correct quantity to customers. In order to reduce, minimize and eventually eliminate adulteration, as well as to prevent other malpractices, the following important steps have been taken :-

·	Government have issued Control Orders under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to prevent	misuse of petroleum products for adulteration of auto fuels, and other malpractices.	These Orders provide power of search and seizure to the officers of the State Governments	and Oil Marketing Companies.
·	Oil Marketing Companies undertake regular inspections of Retail Outlets and take action under	Marketing Discipline Guidelines and/or Dealership Agreement against those indulging in adulteration	and malpractices. Penalty of termination of dealership is invoked in established cases of adulteration.
·	Oil Marketing Companies have also introduced new tamper proof tank-truck locking systems to prevent	en route adulteration by transporters.
·	Trials are being conducted for introduction of Marker System.
·	The import of Kerosene has been canalized through Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies.
·	IT solutions like monitoring movement of tank trucks through Global Positioning System (GPS)	and monitoring level of fuel tanks in Retail Outlets through retail automation are being introduced.
·	Branding of Retail Outlets and third party certification of Retail Outlets have been initiated.

STATE/UT	No. of cases of adulteration detected
Andhra Pradesh	28	Bihar	07	Delhi	03	Gujarat	20	Haryana	08	Jammu & Kashmir	01	Jharkhand	04	Karnataka	07	Kerala	05	Madhya Pradesh	15	Maharashtra	26	North East States	02	Orissa	05	Punjab	12	Rajasthan	10	Tamil Nadu	22	Uttar Pradesh	36	Uttaranchal	02	West Bengal	03
TOTAL	216