Question : CORRUPTION IN ALLOTMENT OF PETROL PUMPS

(a) the procedure for allotment of petrol pumps and gas agencies by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) along with the salient features thereof and the number of petrol pumps and gas agencies in the country at present, State/UT-wise;

(b) the number of petrol pumps and gas agencies out of these allotted to ex-servicemen or their dependents along with the number of agencies proposed to be allotted to them by the end of the current year;

(c) whether cases of mismanagement, irregularities and corruption or involvement of certain officials of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been reported/noticed/detected in allotment of petrol pumps and gas agencies during the last three years;

(d) if so, the details thereof, OMC-wise and the action taken against those found guilty; and

(e) the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) The procedure for allotment of Retail Outlet (RO) dealerships and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distributorships is selection by draw of lots with a view to improve transparency and remove discretion in the selection process. In the present system, a candidate has to meet the prescribed eligibility criteria of

(i) suitable land

(ii) finance

(iii) age and

(iv) education.
The eligible candidates are then subjected to a draw of lots and the entire proceedings of the draw are videographed.
As on 1.10.2012, public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) had 43567 ROs including Rural ROs and 11323 LPG distributorships including Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitrak Yojna (RGGLVY) throughout the country. The state/UT-wise details are at Annexure I & II.

(b) Out of these, 712 ROs and 595 LPG distributorships have been allotted to ex-servicemen and their dependents and 57 ROs and 15 LPG distributorships are proposed to be commissioned.

(c) to (e): OMCs have not come across any established case of mismanagement, irregularities and corruption or involvement of certain officials of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in allotment of petrol pumps and gas agencies during the last three years.