RTI - Diversion of diesel from Haryana to Rajasthan for black marketing
19 Aug, 2012Background
The appellant claimed that the petroleum products particularly diesel, was being lifted by the petrol pump owners of Haryana State from the Depots of three Oil Marketing Companies viz. IOCL; BPCL and HPCL and was not being off loaded at their respective petrol pumps but was being diverted to various places in the State of Rajasthan. He also claimed that the diesel was being sold @ Rs.40.29 in Haryana whereas the minimum prevailing rate in Rajasthan State was 43.46. Because of this price differential, the diesel was being up-lifted from Rewari in Haryana and was being diverted to various places in Rajasthan for black marketing. He further submitted that the Excise and Taxation Department of the Government of Haryana has issued certain Show Cause Notices to certain parties for these illegal activities and certain FIRs were also registered with the police under the E.C. Act. Regarding this, the appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) seeking information regarding the retail outlets in Rewari District such as monthly/quarterly/yearly off take by the petrol pump owners for last 05 years; details of action taken against the petrol pump owners; details of officers visiting the outlets and the matters related therewith.
Proceeding
During the hearing, the appellant submitted that the problem is very serious and the Oil Marketing Companies are not taking any action in the matter. He requested the Central Information Commission (CIC) to issue suitable instructions to the Oil Marketing Companies with a view to preventing recurrence of these illegal activities. The respondent submitted that IOCL is not aware of registration of any FIR at Police Station. Nor does he know of certain unscrupulous elements resorting to the devious method of diverting diesel from Haryana to Rajasthan to make quick money. He also submitted that IOCL has a mechanism in place to keep surveillance over the activities of petrol pump owners.
View of CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) noted that the matter is serious enough to warrant handling at the policy making level. The Commission issued a notice to the Directors of IOCL, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for personal appearance before the Commission.
Citation: Mr. Harinder Dhingra v. IOCL in File No.CIC/LS/A/2011/004166