Question : SANCTION OF DUAL OPERATION OF RETAIL OUTLETS

(a): the number of dual operation of retail outlets of petroleum products sanctioned/approved by the Government during the last three years;

(b): whether the Government has recently directed oil PSUs to close the dual operations of retail outlets which are maintaining supplies under the Civil Court directions;

(c): if so, whether oil corporations propose to undertake responsibilities for non-compliance of directives issued by the Government; and

(d): if so, whether the Government has recently re-introduced the policy of partial re-instatement of the said scheme and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): The Government have directed the Oil Marketing Companies on 18.10.2000 to stop dual operation of retail outlets. Accordingly, these companies have stopped dual operation of all retail outlets except two which are run on `dual operation basis` because of courts` orders. As per present policy, the partial resitement of retail outlets is permitted subject to certain conditions.