(a) whether in view of rising global crude oil prices and inability to match the fuel price
offered by public sector oil companies, some private sector companies have decided to shut
down their petrol pumps;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) to (c): Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has informed that the sales at their retail outlets
(ROs) are negligible due to selling price differential between private and public sector ROs,
leading to the closure of their ROs. Essar Oil Limited (EOL) and Shell India Marketing Private
Limited (SIMPL) have not yet decided to shutdown their ROs. The prices of sensitive petroleum
products are fixed by the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in consultation with the
Government. Private oil companies are not subject to pricing restrictions by the Government and
are free to take their pricing decisions on commercial considerations.