Lok Sabha Question No. 883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-04
Subject: Measures to Prevent Malpractices at Petrol Pumps
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 883 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## Measures to Prevent Malpractices at Petrol Pumps

## 883. Shri Parshottambhai Rupala:

## पेůोिलयम और ÿाक ृ ितक गैस मंýी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by  the Union  Government  in  collaboration  with  the  State Governments  to  curb  malpractices  by  certain  Petroleum  Retail  Outlets  that manipulate Electronic Dispensing Meters, thereby delivering less fuel to consumers than they pay for;
- (b) whether the  Union  Government  in  coordination  with  the  State  Governments  has taken any measures to strengthen the inspection of Petroleum Volume Measurement  Devices  installed  at  Retail  Outlets  particularly  in  view  of  the  Lax Enforcement by certain State agencies, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  regularly  inspects  the  volume  of  imported  crude  oil consignments  and  if  so,  the  procedure  being  followed  for  such  verification including the agencies involved, if so,the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेůोिलयम और ÿाक ृ ितक गैस मंýालय म¤ राºयमंýी ( ®ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a) and (b):Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have formulated and implemented Marketing  Discipline  Guidelines  (MDG)  for  checking  irregularities  or  malpractices including short delivery at Retail Outlets (RO) Dealerships. Action is taken in case of established  irregularities  against  erring  dealers  as  per  MDG  guidelines  and  the Dealership agreement. MDG guidelines are available at website: https://iocl.com/marketing-discipline-guidelines.

OMCs  have  also  informed  that  to  prevent  the  Electronic  Dispensing  Meters' manipulations, they procure and install Dispensing Units (DUs) with accuracy class of  metering  unit  as  per  Legal  Metrology  Rules.  These  DUs  have  latest  security features including audit trails which help in ensuring dispensation of correct quantity of fuel from the DU and are also available for future inspections.

Further,  all  new  dispenser models  are extensively tested  for  software  and  hardware integrity  and  security  features  at  Centre  for  Development  of  Advanced  Computing, (CDAC) before deployment at ROs.

Further,  DUs  are  periodically  calibrated  and  sealed  by  the  State  Weights  and Measure Departments to ensure correct quantity fuel dispensation to consumers and to avoid the tampering of the dispensing units.

Customers  can  also  check  Quantity  of  the  product  being  dispensed  at  the  fuel stations with the help of calibrated 5 Liter measure available at ROs.

State Legal Metrology authorities, empowered under the Legal Metrology (Enforcement)  Rules,  undertake  surprise  inspections  and  special  drives  at  ROs. OMCs extend  full  cooperation  to  these  authorities  by  facilitating  inspections  and supporting effective enforcement by the State Legal Metrology Departments.

- (c) The volume and quantity of imported crude are verified in accordance with Customs Act, Petroleum Rules and established marine survey procedures.

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