(a): whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news item captioned `Oil dealership selection not foolproof` as reported in the Statesman dated August 3, 2002;
(b): if so, whether manipulations were made to influence the Selection Boards; and
(c): if not, the reasons for reconstituting most of the DSBs in June 2000?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b)&(c): Prior to 1.4.2002, i.e., the date on which the Administered Pricing Mechanism in the petroleum sector was dismantled, selection of dealers/distributors for retail outlet dealerships, LPG distributorships and SKO-LDO dealerships `used to be made by the Dealer Selection Boards (DSBs) on the basis of uniform and transparent guidelines laid down for the purpose by the Government. To cope up with the volume of work involved for making selections of a huge number of dealers/distributors throughout the country, the Government reconstituted 59 DSBs during 2000-2001. The DSBs were required to conduct the process of selection strictly on merit, as per the provisions contained in those guidelines. The guidelines also contained a grievance redressal system to deal with complaints, if received, against the selections. Further, the Government entrusted the responsibility for inquiry into the complaints against DSBs to the Director General, Anti-Adulteration Cell of the Government.