Thursday, July 21 2005 17:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre will inquire into the alleged pilferage and adulteration of fuel being supplied to defence forces in Jammu and Kashmir, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said today (July 21, 2005).

"We have taken serious view of this issue and an inquiry would be conducted. We will take very strict action," Aiyar said when asked to comment on media reports of 'busting of a multi-crore racket' of mixing water with diesel in tankers meant for defence forces posted in the Ladakh region.

Aiyar said Petroleum Ministry was in touch with Indian Oil Corporation and "A team of Intergovernmental Ocean graphic Commission (IOC) officials has already reached the site. A very stringent inquiry would be conducted and no one would be spared," he said.

Aiyar, however, expressed surprise that water was being mixed with diesel for a long time.

"How can it go undetected? Engines are run on diesel and not water. If water is there, the engines won't run," he said, but nevertheless, promised a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Aiyar's assertion comes a day after Jammu and Kashmir police seized seven IOC tankers carrying water instead of diesel to army depots in Leh and arrested their drivers.

The pilferage is a matter of concern for army authorities as they have to stock up diesel, petrol and kerosene for winter months before the passes close in September-October due to heavy snowfall and for this they are dependent on the IOC.

The tankers come to Leh from IOC depots at Ambala, Pathankot and Jammu along two road axes - one through Himachal Pradesh and other via Udhampur and Kashmir valley.