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Diesel, petrol adulterators to face heavy fines

The government announced stiff penalties on Tuesday to stop adulteration and other offences in marketing petroleum products.

Petroleum Minister Ram Naik told reporters that the government has formulated new guidelines to ensure uniformity in services and punishments for erring dealers and distributors of petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene.

"Stringent penalties right up to the termination of dealerships and distributorships in the event of continued malpractices are also included in the guidelines," Naik said.

Naik said the fine for adulterating petrol and diesel has been doubled to Rs 20,000. In addition, sales and supplies of all products will be suspended for 30 days on the first offence and the dealership will be terminated on the second offence.

Fines will also be imposed for offences such as short-changing customers on the amount delivered and diversion of domestic cylinders to non-domestic use, Naik said.

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