The review was conducted in wake of the incident in which Additional Collector of Malegaon, (Maharashtra), Sri Yashwant Sonawane was killed while performing his duty and trying to stop an activity of pilferage of petroleum products. The Minister expressed deep shock, and strongly condemned the incident. Conveying his condolence to the bereaved family, the Minister announced that an amount of Rs 25 lakh will be given to them as ex-gratia relief from the Oil Marketing Companies.

The Minister has expressed concern over the growing menace of adulteration and directed that immediate measures would be initiated to deal with the situation. A Marker programme was implemented during the years 2007-08, which proved to be a tool in detecting adulteration in auto fuel during the period. The PSU OMCs were directed that by June 2011, they should be in a position to reintroduce the Marker programme for PDS Kerosene, with improved specifications based on the past experience.

A GPS based vehicular tracking system for tank trucks is successfully implemented by the OMCs for vehicles transporting petrol and diesel, from depot to retail sale points (petrol pumps). The system tracks the movement of vehicles and whenever there is route deviation or long stoppages, the system generate an alert. It is an effective tool in warding off incidences of pilferage and diversion leading to adulteration which may take place during the period of untracked transportation. A similar system could be adopted for vehicles used for transporting PDS kerosene from the OMC depot to the delivery point. The transport of kerosene to the destination from the depot is in the purview of the State/UT Governments. OMCs will provide technological and institutional support required for this. Minister P&NG would solicit the support of State/UT Governments in institutionalizing this system and for availing help being offered by the OMCs in this regard.

OMCs are in the process of developing a system, whereby information on daily dispatch of PDS SKO from every Depot and details of Tank trucks transporting them and destination for which dispatch is meant, will be uploaded on their website for the information of the public.