The government on Wednesday launched a new marker system to detect adulteration of kerosene in petrol and diesel.
Under the system, kerosene would be dyed with an imported marker, which once induced in the adulterant (kerosene) cannot be removed or tampered with. The marker would be imported from Authentix of UK.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said adulteration of diesel and petrol with marker-blended kerosene would immediately show through a simple visual check up when tested using a simple kit.
"Adulteration of transportation fuels is the social menace that we are committed to fight," he said adding the basic motive for adulteration continues to be the difference in price between fuels that are largely similar in composition.
Fuel adulteration leads to economic losses, increased emission and large-scale deterioration in the performance of engines.
By using the marker system of Authentix, adulteration up to one per cent could be detected on site.
The marker system would help detect adulteration of kerosene in auto fuels and ensure that PDS kerosene reaches the targeted group.
In September 2005, an NCAER (National Council for Applied Economic Research) study concluded that 38.6 per cent of PDS (public distribution system) kerosene was being diverted for adulteration in petrol and diesel. The incentive being the huge price difference - while a litre of kerosene costs just over Rs 9, an equal volume of petrol in Delhi is priced at Rs 47.50 and diesel at Rs 32.40.