Considering the rise in retail sales of petrol and diesel at a rate of approximately eight per cent and four per cent per annum respectively in Odisha, the oil marketing companies like IOCL, HPCL and BPCL have decided to invite about 2,636 applications for new retail outlets in the State. This was informed by IOCL CGM Pritish Bharat at a Press meet held here on Sunday.
Bharat said that the outlet network would be expanded also in rural, remote and far-flung areas with the intention of reaching product, predominantly HSD, ensuring quality and correct price to meet the rural agricultural demand and people living in remote areas.
The OMCs have now issued advertisements inviting applications from prospective candidates for setting up of petrol pumps in the State and the interested ones can apply through www.petrolpumpdealerchayan.in before December 24, he added.
He also said that the process of dealer selection has been simplified in line with the Government's emphasis on ‘Ease of doing business.’ For this, a friendly online application simplifying the process has been adopted. The eligibility norms have also been relaxed, Bharat added.
For the first time, computerised ‘Draw of Lots and Bid opening’ would be held under the aegis of an independent agency to bring in more transparency. Notably, the 2,636 outlets to be opened include 1,498 of IOCL, 613 of BPCL and 525 of HPCL of which 937 are for rural areas and 1,699 for non-rural areas. Previously there were 782 petrol pumps of IOCL, 441 of BPCL and 331 of HPCL.