Question : Setting up of ROs

(a) whether the Government proposes to double its petroleum Retail Outlets (ROs) from 63674 pumps to 130000 pumps and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the said move is not against the United Nations framework on climate change/Paris Agreement and the commitments made by the country to reduce the emission of green house gases by reducing the usage of fossil fuels and in achieving renewable energy target by 2020 and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government has through its National Auto Fuel Policy and Auto Fuel Vision and Policy 2025 announced/proposes to announce the closure of petrol pumps in the country replacing them with alternative fuels by 2025 and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has conducted a study about requirement of ROs in the country and if so, the details thereof along with any proposal to open ROs across the country following the study report, State-wise; and
(e) whether the Government would agree that allotment of Retail Outlets surround allegations of corruption and nepotism by oil companies and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto along with the steps taken to ensure/introduce a transparent allocation process?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b) Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have informed that expansion of Retail Outlet network is a continuous process to ensure adequate availability of motoring fuels like petrol and diesel throughout the country. Recently, OMCs have issued advertisements for award of new Retail Outlet dealerships on 25.11.2018 and 14.12.2018. A total number of 78,688 locations including 24,694 in various rural areas have been included under the said advertisements on pan India basis by the OMCs.
(c) Auto Fuel Vision & Policy, 2025 has provided road map for upgradation of Auto Fuel Quality in the country.
(d) Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have informed that expansion of Retail Outlet network is a continuous process to ensure adequate availability of motoring fuels like petrol and diesel throughout the country.
(e) OMCs in order to bring in more transparency in dealer selection process have introduced a simplified and transparent dealer selection process. The salient features include user-friendly on line application facility, selection by draw of lots, videography of proceedings, mechanism for grievance redressal system, etc.
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