India launches anti-adulteration drive

In the biggest ever anti-adulteration drive, the Indian government in early October launched a program of dyeing kerosene with a marker that could prevent the adulteration of petrol and diesel fuel by mixing in the subsidized kerosene. Dyeing of kerosene with a marker imported from Authentix of the U.K. would help detect adulteration of kerosene in automotive fuels and ensure that subsidized kerosene reaches the targeted group, said Petroleum Secretary M.S. Srinivasan. All 32,000 petrol pumps in the country will be equipped with a testing kit within four months, he said. IOC Chairman Sarthak Behuria said the entire program would cost the oil industry Rs160 crores (US$35.28 million) annually. (October 4, 2006)