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Task force to review solvent order formed

Our Bureau

MUMBAI, Sept. 13

THE Union Government has formed a task force to examine the solvent order which makes it mandatory for chemical solvents' dealers and users to register themselves with civil supplies authorities.

The task force, which is expected to give its recommendations within two months, will be headed by Dr A.K. Bhatnagar, Director (R&D), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Members of the industries, other oil companies and the Oil Co-ordination Committee (OCC) wil l be represented on the task force.

Chemical dealers all over the country had protested against the Solvent, Raffinate and Slop (acquisition, sale, storage and prevention of use in automobile) Order, 2000 issued in June this year to check adulteration of petrol and diesel with cheaper solv ents such as naphtha.

According to them, dealers buy hydrocarbon solvents from the refineries and sell them to industrial users and sub-dealers. Hence, it is not possible to provide details of end use of most solvents. According to the order, dealers have to file end-use cert ificates with district magistrates or State civil supplies authorities.

The order also empowers Government officials and police officers above the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to enter, search and seize products from the business premises of dealers and users on mere suspicion.

The order defines `solvent' as ``volatile fractions derived either directly or indirectly from petroleum or coal.'' The dealers and industry members had objected to this definition saying that expensive solvents such as benzene, butanol, xylene or cycloh exanone could not be used for adulteration of petrol.

The dealers had asked the Government to narrow the definition of solvent. They had also asked for deferring the implementation of the order till the task force submits its recommendations. Earlier, the Government had announced September 15 as the deadlin e for implementation of the order.