Parliament Question: Fuel quality compliance

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4119 ANSWERED ON – 30/03/2026 FUEL QUALITY COMPLIANCE 4119 SHRI RAGHAV CHADHA: Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) whether periodic testing of fuel quality at retail outlets has been conducted during the last five years and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of outlets found non-compliant during the said period; (c) the penalties imposed in such cases; and (d) the measures taken to ensure strict quality monitoring of fuel at retail outlets? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI) (a) to (d): Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have formulated and implemented Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) for checking irregularities or malpractices including adulteration at Retail Outlets (ROs) Dealerships. Action is taken in case of established irregularities against erring dealers as per MDG guidelines and the Dealership agreement. MDG guidelines are available at website: https://iocl.com/marketing-discipline-guidelines. The Central Government has also issued the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 which provides for punitive action against malpractices such as adulteration of petroleum products. Further, in June, 2022, the Government has extended the scope of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) to all Retail Outlets including remote area Retail Outlets. USOs have been prescribed so that authorized entities provide quality and uninterrupted fuel supply services to the consumers. Regular/Surprise inspections are carried out by Public Sector OMCs’ officials periodically at the Retail Outlets to check irregularities/malpractices and action is taken as per the Marketing Discipline Guidelines and the Dealership Agreement. Public Sector OMCs have a system in place to check various types of malpractices and irregularities including adulteration at ROs. The important initiatives taken in this regard, inter alia, include: (i) Availability of filter paper, calibrated density equipment (hydrometer / thermometer) & 5 litre calibrated measure for quality checks and delivery of correct quantity of MS/HSD.(ii) Regular/ Surprise inspections at Retail Outlets by OMCs’ Field Officers/ Senior Officers/ Quality Reassurance Cell (QRC) teams throughout the country. In case of irregularities, action is taken as per the MDG and Dealership Agreement. (iii) Surprise inspections by OMC Mobile labs, wherein samples of petrol and diesel from Retail Outlets are drawn and tested. (iv) Dispensing units are periodically calibrated and sealed by the Weights and Measures Department to ensure correct quantity and to avoid the tampering of the dispensing units. (v) Random sampling from Retail Outlets for testing at authorized laboratories. (vi) Installation of GPS to monitor movement of Tank Trucks carrying MS/ HSD. (vii) Sealing of Tank Trucks before leaving Company premises to protect against pilferage / adulteration enroute. Tamper proof locking system has been introduced in Tank Trucks delivering petrol / diesel at Retail Outlets. A 3-tier sampling system is followed to help ascertain the point where adulteration could have taken place. (viii) Automation of all active Retail Outlets to capture the data for better monitoring of RO operations. Public Sector OMCs have completed automation at 85722 Retail Outlets out of total 92343 Retail Outlets as on 01.03.2026. Public Sector OMCs have carried out 11,34,191 number of inspections at their ROs and drawn 3,27,196 number of samples from their ROs for checking adulteration during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) & current year 2025-26 (April 2025 to February 2026). In established cases of adulteration, the Retail Outlet is terminated in the first instance. Public Sector OMCs have terminated 21 number of Retail Outlet dealerships against established cases of adulteration during last five years (FY 2020-21 to 2024-25) and current FY 2025-26 (April 2025 to February 2026). *****