But there is not much progress six months later as UK firms John Hogg and Johnson Metthey have expressed inability to offer a marker to detect 1 percent adulteration, and BASF of Germany could not make it to the Technical Committee meeting last May. That has left Chematek SpA of Italy as the lone vendor. Its marker cleared lab tests in July but field trials would start after legal papers have been vetted by the OMCs.

The ministry has given three more months to the OMCs to hunt for another marker. Else, it would have to amend the control orders governing kerosene, petrol and diesel supply before it can stop the doping of Authentix Marker.

Spiking for profit

• The marker Authentix is colourless. As per Govt orders, all kerosene has to be spiked with this marker at the refinery gate. All PDS kerosene has to be dyed blue. When kerosene with marker is used to adulterate fuel, it shows up as pink when used with a specific reagent.

• 2006 study by National Council for Applied Economic Research showed 38.6% of kerosene diverted for other use.

• India consumed 9.35 million tonnes of kerosene in 2007-08 entirely sold through PDS at Rs 9.09 per litre.

• Its low administered price is incentive for dealers who divert large volumes to mix it in petrol priced at Rs 50.56 or diesel sold at Rs 34.80 per litre.