SHRI RAM NAIK LAUNCHES WEBSITE OF ANTI ADULTERATION CELL

GENERAL PUBLIC CALLED UPON TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ADULTERATION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

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Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas reviewed the performance and launched here today the official website of Anti Adulteration Cell (AAC) to enable customers to lodge complaint and obtain information of how to prevent adulteration of petroleum products. Speaking on the occasion Shri Ram Naik called upon the people at large to join the campaign initiated by the Government against the adulteration of petroleum products. The website provides an opportunity to customers all over the country to join the drive launched by Government for eradicating the menace of adulteration of petroleum products. The customers are free to lodge complaint and give any other feed back under the guarantee of confidentiality. The website can be accessed at www.antiadulterationcell.com or www.aacindia.org. In addition, the public can also lodge their complaint to the Cell through telephone Nos. in Delhi 6715305, 6104611, 6104711, Mumbai 6540371, Chennai 8253808, Kolkata 2204532.

Anti Adulteration Cell (AAC) of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas was set up in March, 2001 at the initiative of Shri Ram Naik, who felt the need for a specialised body to check the adulteration and other malpractices in distribution of petroleum products specially in view of the deregulation of oil sector. The Naphtha (Acquisition, Sale, Storage and Prevention of Use in Automobile) Order, 2000 and The Solvent Raffinate and Slop (Acquisition, Sale, Storage and Prevention of Use in Automobiles) Order, 2000 were notified to control the use of Naphtha and Solvents which are used extensively for adulterating petrol and diesel. To prevent malpractices in the trade of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 was also notified. In order to implement these control orders effectively and to act as an enforcement wing of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, the Anti Adulteration Cell was created with a senior officer of Joint Secretary level as its Director General. The Cell has been entrusted with the following functions:-

• Checking of adulteration and other malpractices in the trade of petroleum products;
• Conducting enquiries into benami operations and supply of adulterants to retail outlets;
• Enquiries into complaints against Dealer Selection Boards;
• Coordination with State Governments and oil companies in respect of anti adulteration activities.

The Cell has four regional offices in four metro cities viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. The regional offices are headed by Regional Directors. The Investigating Officers are taken on deputation from oil companies and Central and State Governments. The Cell is presently functioning from Sanrakshan Bhavan, 10 Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110 066.

Till September, 2002 the Cell has conducted inspection of 384 retail outlets. Samples of MS & HSD taken from these outlets were found to have failed in 62 cases. In 93 cases possible adulteration was detected and other malpractices were found in another 129 cases. Oil companies were directed to take action against these outlets. In a few serious cases the State Governments concerned were also requested to take action under the Essential Commodities Act.

The Anti Adulteration Cell has also conducted inspection of 35 Naphtha/Solvent processing units which were supposed to be the sources of adulterants to the retail outlets. Prosecution has been recommended in 18 cases and action is to be taken by the respective State Governments. A number of investigations are in progress.

Based on the experience gained from the above inspections, AAC has recommended a number of improvements in the systems followed by oil companies and their inspecting officers. Some of these recommendations are those pertaining to improvement in sealing procedures, sampling procedures and strict implementation of Marketing Discipline Guidelines. Some of these recommendations have been implemented. The Cell has also been pursuing the proposal to introduce the Marker System for MS and HSD all over the country in the shortest possible period.

Although the AAC is in its infancy, it has been able to create substantial impact in all the major States of the country where it has carried out inspections and investigations. The Cell provides a convenient forum which is easily available for the customers to lodge their complaints and take action against erring dealers, transporters and oil companies.