Markers on Kerosene
The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Jitin Prasada informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question that the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) were doping marker in kerosene meant to be supplied to BPL families through Public Distribution System (PDS) in order to prevent adulteration of Motor Fuels with subisidised kerosene. Owing to deterioration in efficacy of this marker system due to it being found launderable, Government decided to discontinue it w.e.f. 31st December, 2008 and directed OMCs to find new efficient marker system through global expression of interest. Accordingly, OMCs are in the process of finding another marker system for doping with PDS SKO.
The Minister also informed the House that the OMCs have reported that as a precautionary measure relating to possible health hazard and also from toxicological point of view with regard to usage of marker in kerosene a specific requirement is kept in the tenders which specifies that the Marker should be occupationally and toxicologically safe. Such requirements are summarized as follows:
(i) The marker should not impart any colour to the kerosene and marked kerosene should conform to the current IS 1459 specification.
(ii) The marker should be compatible with all type of Indian and imported kerosene including blue dyed kerosene.
(iii) The marker should be occupationally and toxicologically safe. Vendor must provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the same.
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