The government is not earning Rs 11 billion a fortnight through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL), a spokesman of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources clarified here on Friday. Contradicting a news item entitled 'Reduction in Petrol Prices', appearing in a section of press, the spokesman said that the news item was incorrect and misleading.
Giving the factual position, he said the government was not earning Rs .11 billion a fortnight through the PDL. "The PDL rates quoted in the news item for diesel, petrol and kerosene are incorrect and misleading. In fact, the government was providing subsidy on diesel, kerosene and light diesel oil till October 15, 2008," he added.
He said the government still owes around Rs 27 billion, payable to oil marketing companies (OMCs) and refineries on account of subsidy and price differential claims. The spokesman said it was incorrect to say that the OMCs and dealers were pocketing extra money in commission. In fact, the margins for the oil marketing companies (OMCs) and dealers have been capped by the government.