India to re-introduce chemical marker in kerosene

Oil Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said India will re-introduce within six months chemical markers to check the diversion of subsidized kerosene which is used to adulterate diesel fuel. An “improved” chemical marker will be doped in kerosene to make its mixing with diesel fuel “near impossible”, he said. The kerosene marker system was introduced in India in 2006 but was withdrawn in 2009. The huge difference between the cost of kerosene, due to the subsidy, and diesel fuel makes adulteration a lucrative business. A liter of kerosene costs Rs12.32 (US$0.27), while a liter of diesel fuel costs Rs37.75 (US$0.83). (January 29, 2011)