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Fuel: IAF, IOC clarify

With reference to the report headlined "Ensure pure fuel, IAF tells IOC" (The Hindu, August 8), Group Captain R.K. Das, Chief Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Defence, Headquarters Bengal Area Complex, Kolkata, writes:

Indian Oil Corporation is a partner with the Indian Air Force in ensuring safe flying. The aviation fuel provided by IOC is of the highest quality and specifications, to the fullest satisfaction of the IAF. Air Force Barrackpur and IOC jointly conducted the seminar on August 6 on the subject of Fuel Discipline in Aviation. A press release on the event was sent to the media. The correspondent of The Hindu had a few questions on fuel discipline, which were clarified by me. It was emphasised that fuel indiscipline could be as damaging like bird-strike, pilot error, foreign object damage (FOD) and technical failures, and that it is vital for all agencies involved to ensure fuel discipline. The discipline starts from the manufacturing stage and extends to transportation, storage and finally refuelling in aircraft. It was also brought out how the fuel supply agencies and the IAF take full care of quality control checks before the fuel is put in aircraft. IOC maintains world-class fuel standards. Reports such as this are of a damaging nature, out of context and incorrect.

On the same report, Aloke Kumar Singh, Manager (Corporate Communication), Indian Oil Corporation Eastern Region, writes:

You have quoted Mr. Dipak Bhadra, Deputy General Manager (Aviation), Indian Oil Corporation Eastern Region, who did not speak to your correspondent. The purported statement is damaging and inappropriate, particularly in the context of the fact that IOC has always supplied petroleum products that meet the highest and most stringent quality standards of the Indian Air Force. There has never been any occasion when quality was compromised in supplies to the defence services. Your story has damaged the reputation and image of India’s largest company and placed IOC in an embarrassing situation, it being the largest supplier of fuels and lubricants to the Indian defence services (more than 95 per cent of the supplies). We strongly disapprove of the report and request that a correction be issued. For IOC, issues relating to the supply of vital petroleum products to agencies like the Indian defence services is a serious matter.

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