Question : ULSD AT PETROL PUMPS

(a) whether the Government at present is required to make available Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel on all petrol pumps of National Capital region for commercial vehicles only;

(b) if so, the order of the Supreme Court in this context;

(c) the action taken by the Government to protect the interests of poor agriculturist for making available this fuel at the same rates;

(d) whether the Government is bound to stop the sale and consumption of ordinary diesel (HSD) in NCR or both types of diesel be made available in NCR; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): The Hon`ble Supreme Court directed this Ministry on 10.5.2000 to ensure that diesel with 0.05% maximum sulphur content is made available in National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi by 30.6.2001. In compliance of the said directions, diesel with 0.05% maximum sulphur only is being supplied throughout the NCR of Delhi at all retail outlets from 30.6.2001.

(c) to (e): To enable introduction of Bharat Stage-II emission compliant vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Government had introduced the scheme of selling diesel with 0.05% maximum sulphur and 0.25% maximum sulphur in the NCR. However, the Supreme Court vide its order of 10.5.2000 directed that w.e.f. 1.7.2001 0.05% maximum sulphur diesel be sold at all the retail outlets. Accordingly, supply of 0.25% maximum sulphur diesel was discontinued at the retail outlets located in the NCR w.e.f. 1.7.2001.