Bulk diesel users asked to source supplies at non-subsidised rates
New Delhi, Mar 15 : To reduce under recoveries in the sale of diesel to bulk consumers, the Oil Marketing Companies (ONCs) were authorised to sell their supplies to the bulk users directly from the Depots and Marketing installations of the OMCs at the non-subsidised market determined price from January 18, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Answering questions, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Panabaaka Lakshmi said the Industry Performance Review of March 2012 of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited had revealed that 17.77 per cent of the total diesel sales in the country was directly made to bulk consumers -- industries and businessmen during 2011-12.
However the IOCL had received such queries from industries and businessmen.
Answering a question on blending of ethanol with petrol, the Minister said the OMCs required 100.08 crore litres between October 2011-12 as against the receipts of 30.57 crore litres.
The shortfall was because of inadequate domestic availability of ethanol.
The OMCs have to decide if they should import to overcome short supply. The blended petrol, however, is sold at the same price as petrol, the Minister said.
To another question regarding the irregularities in awarding off-shore exploration/mining licence in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, Mining Minister Dinsha Patel said the CBI was looking into the allegations.
About 63 mineral bearing blocks were notified in the off-shore areas. Out of a total of 377 applications 16 applicants were issued 62 blocks in April last year.
So far no exploration had taken place as the matter was pending before High Courts of Andhra Pradesh, Madras and Mumbai.