Govt to crack down on fuel adulterators

CHENNAI: In a bit to crack down on adulteration of petrol and diesel, the state government on Tuesday delegated power to officials of several departments to take action against those involved in fuel adulteration, hoarding and other related malpractices.
Assistant commissioners of the civil supplies department, all officials of the rank of tahsildars and above in the revenue department, all taluk supply officers, inspectors and above in the labour department and deputy superintendents of police and above in the police department are authorised to initiate action against the fuel mafia under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, and Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply and Distribution and Prevention of Malpractice) Order.The order is the outcome of a proposal sent by the commissioner of civil supplies and consumer protection department to this effect.
Adulteration of petrol and diesel, both at points of sale and during transportation, is rampant across the country as there are several close substitutes for these fuels. While kerosene is the commonly used adulterant for diesel, naphtha is mixed with petrol. At the open market prices of these fuels, adulteration of petrol helps save 20 per litre and diesel 15 per litre.
Various surveys have shown that much of the petrol sold through outlets are adulterated and have a much lower octane level than the specified 87%. Many customers buy fuel only from select pumps, most often from outlets owned and operated by petroleum manufacturing companies. It is estimated that pumps selling adulterated fuel earn a minimum of 25,000 per day. Apart from wrecking the engines of new generation vehicles, adulterated fuel is also a drain on the state’s exchequer as it loses heavily on sales tax.