(a) whether private refineries have been allowed to sell their Kerosene in the parallel market;
(b) if so, whether the free availability of kerosene in the market is one of the reasons for adulteration in diesel/petrol; and
(c) if so, the facts thereof and the corrective measures contemplated in the matter?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS ( SHRI RAM NAIK )
(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 542 FOR ANSWER ON 30TH AUGUST, 2001 REGARDING SALE OF KEROSENE BY PRIVATE REFINERIES ASKED BY SHRI MANJAY LAL.
(a) to (c) : No domestic refinery including private refinery is allowed to sell their kerosene in the parallel market. Kerosene is miscible with petrol and diesel. The Kerosene (Restriction on Use and Fixation of Ceiling Price) Order 1993, issued under the Essential Commodities Act prohibits the use of kerosene as a fuel or as an additive to fuel in motor vehicles.
2. The Government have taken various steps to check the use of kerosene for adulteration of petrol and diesel, such as :
- blue dyeing of kerosene and furfural doping of kerosene - density checking of petrol and diesel at the retail outlets - regular/surprise inspections at the retail outlets - setting up of Anti Adulteration Cell and empowering of officers of the Cell with powers of Search and Seizures under various Control Orders issued under the Essential Commodities Act. - increase in the number of mobile labs for checking of adulteration of petrol and diesel at the retail outlets from 23 to 46 during 1999 to 2001.3. Punitive action against retail outlets found indulging in adulteration is taken as laid down in the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2001 and/or in terms of Dealership Agreement.