HPCL to sell jet fuel to Kingfisher only against cash

State-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) will sell jet fuel to Vijay Mallya-run Kingfisher Airlines only against cash as it has failed to provide bank guarantee cover against payment defaults.

HPCL is Kingfisher Airline's largest aviation turbine fuel (ATF) supplier. The airline, which buys 1,300-1,350 kilolitre of jet fuel worth some Rs 133 crore every month, has defaulted on its payments.

"Currently, Kingfisher Airlines has been put on cash-and-carry arrangement by HPCL as they have been unable to fulfill the obligations imposed by HPCL board," Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Jitin Prasad told Rajya Sabha today.

Kingfisher buys jet fuel (or ATF) on a 60-day credit cycle. The cash-strapped airline has defaulted on payment of Rs 224.95 crore, beyond the agreed credit period as on March 31. Together with late payment interest of Rs 50.87 crore, Kingfisher had an overdue of Rs 275.82 crore.

In a written reply to a question, Prasad said Kingfisher had a total outstanding of Rs 525.54 crore as on March 31. This included Rs 249.72 crore due that was well within the agreed credit period and Rs 275.82 crore overdue outstanding.

The airline had agreed to submit a bank guarantee of Rs 250 crore by June end. This collateral could be encashed by HPCL in case Kingfisher was to default in future. The airline has however not kept its word.

Prasada said the oil ministry had advised HPCL to convene a special board meeting to consider the issue of outstanding dues from Kingfisher.

"Accordingly, board meeting was convened by HPCL on March 30 to consider the issue of outstanding dues. The Board of directors after due deliberation directed to continue the existing payment arrangement of 60 days credit with Kingfisher Airlines, subject to certain conditions," he said.

Mallya has last month met Oil Secretary S Sundareshan to discuss the defaults but did not say by when his group firm will clear the oustanding amount.