quot;Petrol pump guidelines in public interestquot;

NEW DELHI, July 31: The Central government today said that the issuance of revised market guidelines for petrol pump owners was in public interest, and necessary to maintain quality and quantity of petroleum products.

In an affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court, the petroleum ministry today justified the guidelines issued on May 12 to discipline petrol pump owners. The affidavit, filed through Central government standing counsel Meera Bhatia, was in reply to a petition by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association DPDA seeking quashing of the government circular.

A study had shown that some petrol pumps were selling diesel containing 30 per cent kerosene oil diverted from the public distribution system, the affidavit said. DPDA council Maninder Singh denied the allegation saying that the petroleum products were being supplied by public sector oil companies under seal.