Setting the Record Straight: IBN-TV Report on Authentix’ Kerosene Marking Program is Inaccurate, Slanderous

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Dallas -  February, 2011

Authentix, the global leader in authentication, refutes the recent IBN network broadcast report entitled, “Govt. Mulls Use of Controversial Fuel Marker.” This is the second time since 2009 that IBN has inaccurately reported on the Authentix kerosene marking program in India using skewed figures and false information about the performance of the program. Along with this false and slanderous reporting, no one from IBN has ever contacted Authentix to verify facts or statistics for either of these stories.

The 2011 IBN report portends to reference an investigation conducted by India’s Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch. However, this investigation was closed on August 12, 2010, making this information null and void. On August 12, 2010, the CBI shelved the investigation and released a statement unequivocally declaring “The enquiry into Authentix has been completed. No criminal case has been made out against Authentix Limited. Therefore, the matter of Authentix limited has been closed.” This statement is a matter of public record and this information should have been included in the report.

The 2011 report also alleges that the marker “failed to work.” In truth, the Authentix marker was at the heart of a comprehensive kerosene marking solution that produced positive results and helped cut corruption during the span of the program. Over 1,000 retail outlets were identified as selling road fuel adulterated with kerosene. Many other retail outlets stopped selling adulterated fuel once this program was put into place.

In a Jan. 31, 2009 affidavit submitted to the Honorable High Court, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas spoke on record on the success of the program, stating: “Authentix technology during the program could detect adulteration 5 times more than what could be detected by alternate means by the oil marketing companies.” This document is also in the public domain and should have been referenced in the IBN news reports.

Both reports wrongly state that the program was “scrapped” and that Authentix was favored in the selection process. In truth, the government found the program to be effective and extended the contract length for a total of 27 months – through December 2008. Authentix technology was subjected to extensive technical testes by the Indian Government and was the only company to meet the stringent technical requirements.

The reports present skewed marker pricing information, in reality Authentix pricing for the marking solution was lowered by 14% during the course of the 27 month program.

Finally, the reports state that the investigation “found that Authentix earlier operated under the name of Biocode, which the Petroleum Ministry had rejected because its product failed to meet standard requirements.” In actuality Authentix has not operated under the name of Biocode since 2003 and the marking solution proposed at that time was for an entirely different program with a different set of specifications.

This kind of journalism is not only false and slanderous reporting, but one-sided and shoddy. No one from IBN has ever contacted Authentix to get a comment for either of these stories.

This sub-par journalism stories creates a multitude of questions. Are these examples of erroneous reporting and half-hearted fact checking? Or is this an attempt being made by those who profit from fuel adulteration to sabotage the restart of a kerosene marking program, a program that curbs illegal kerosene theft and prevents India’s poorest from getting kerosene they need for cooking and heat.

Authentix is the global leader in fuel authentication and is proud of the social benefits brought by its programs. With a fair and transparent selection process—whether it is Authentix or another company providing a marking solution—having a program in place to prevent illicit fuel adulteration is essential for India.
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Authentix®, the global leader in authentication, provides brand protection, excise tax recovery, and supply chain security solutions to governments and Fortune 500 companies around the world. Since 2003, Authentix has helped safeguard clients in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical and consumer goods industries from counterfeiting, smuggling and adulteration issues. In addition, Authentix protects the currency of five G8 central banks. Innovative nano-scale engineering, serialization authentication expertise and cutting-edge sensor knowledge help Authentix create effective customized solutions that address each client’s needs. To date, Authentix has helped recover $5 billion in lost revenue for our clients.

News Source : Setting the Record Straight: IBN-TV Report on Authentix’ Kerosene Marking Program is Inaccurate, Slanderous