New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS): Cautioning the public against "fake" advertisements appearing in the newspapers about a special scheme for allotting petroleum distributorships, the Centre on Tuesday said it does not appoint dealers and distributors for petroleum products.

The Petroleum Ministry referred to certain fake advertisements appearing in its name in newspapers in Maharashtra.

"It has come to the notice of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas that some unscrupulous persons, by using the name and logo of the Ministry, have issued an advertisement in a section of media on February 26 regarding a special scheme for direct allotment of dealership/distributorship of petroleum products," it said.

"It is clarified that the Ministry has not issued any advertisement for direct allotment of dealership/distributorship of petroleum products."

"The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has no role in appointment of dealers/ distributors. The oil marketing companies, based on their feasibility study, identify the locations and issue advertisement for appointment of dealers as per the respective selection guidelines.

"The general public are accordingly advised not to take notice of such advertisement/scheme. Appropriate action is being initiated against those involved in the issuance of the fake advertisement," it added.