Govt considering home delivery of fuels, against closure of pumps on Sunday

business

Updated: May 08, 2017 07:13 IST

The government is considering delivering petroleum products at consumers’ homes to cut long queues at fuel stations, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday.

But home delivery will be available only for those who pre-book a product.

Also, Pradhan said his ministry “does not approve or endorse” the move of a section of petrol pump dealers to close fuel stations on Sundays.

“Options being explored where petro products may be door delivered to consumers on pre-booking. This would help consumers avoid spending excessive time and long queues at fuel stations,” he said in a series of tweets.

"Options being explored where petro products may be door delivered to consumers on pre booking" @dpradhanbjp (1/2) — Petroleum Ministry (@PetroleumMin) April 21, 2017

"This would help consumers avoid spending excessive time and long queues at fuel stations" @dpradhanbjp (2/2) — Petroleum Ministry (@PetroleumMin) April 21, 2017

Only cooking gas, or LPG, is delivered at home currently. Consumers have to go to retail outlets to buy car fuels such as petrol, diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG), apart from engine oils.

India, the world’s third biggest oil consumer, has been reforming its energy sector to reduce imports and narrow the trade deficit.

The oil ministry had announced plans to introduce daily price revision of petrol and diesel in five cities from May 1, ahead of a nationwide rollout of the plan.

In a presentation to a panel of lawmakers, Pradhan emphasised on efforts made by his ministry and oil marketing companies (OMC) to promote digital payments through cards and e-wallets at fuel stations.

State-run oil companies are giving 0.75% discount to customers on purchase of fuel through cashless modes. Over 72,000 e-wallets have also been activated.

Pradhan said daily cashless transactions have increased from Rs 150 crore a day to Rs 400 crore.

About 350 million people come to fuel stations every day, accounting for Rs 2,500 crore in transactions every year.

Pradhan said that the daily cashless transactions have increased from Rs 150 crore a day to daily Rs 400 crore.