Question : LOW COST PETROL PUMPS

(a) whether the Government has instructed the oil PSU’s to install low cost petrol pump under Kisan Vitran Kendra Scheme;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the dealer’s selection policy for such RO’s has finalised;

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to relax the multiple dealership norms in case of selection of dealers for such petrol pumps to make the scheme successful;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the steps taken to make such petrol pumps economically viable?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS & PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) to (f): While Government have not instructed the public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) to install low cost petrol pumps under the name of the ‘Kisan Vitran Kendra Scheme’, the OMCs have been asked to conduct a survey to expand their network to cater to the requirements of the agricultural sector and to develop a business model to meet the petrol / diesel requirement of rural areas. Government have also advised OMCs to draft an Approach Paper on how to set up low cost retail outlets replacing the barrel points/unauthorized pumps across the country.

In the meantime, Indian Oil Corporation Limited has initiated steps to set up retail outlets in rural areas under the name ‘Kissan Seva Kendra’ in line with their own policy during the year 2005-06.