New Delhi: Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the existing policy concerning allotment of Retail Outlets to candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities.
The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)IOCL, BPCL and HPCL have a laid-down policy for promoting social inclusion and economic empowerment of the weaker sections of the society.┬а As part of the strategy, the OMCs allocate 22.5% of the new Retail Outlets in favour of candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities.┬а Apart from such regular allotments, the OMCs also have a well laid-down framework for allotting existing Retail Outlets to candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities.┬а It is done through divestment of company owned temporary Retail Outlets.
It was observed that there was a huge shortfall with respect to meeting the social commitments of the OMCs.┬а In accordance with the directives issued, the OMCs have initiated a concerted effort on procuring land from various State governments.┬а The land obtained from State governments will be exclusively used for facilitating establishment of Retail Outlets by the SC/ST candidates.
Shri Pradhan has also directed the OMCs to expedite selection process of SC/ST locations advertised in 2014 -15. For SC/ST applicants, additional time has been allowed to the applicants to submit land to the OMCs for consideration of their applications for RO.
It was also observed that there was a large number of Letter of Intent (LoI) holders who were awaiting allotment of Retail Outlets which is primarily done by divesting the temporary company owned Retail Outlets.┬а The LoI holders since 2004, belonging to SC/ST community were also awaiting such allotment.┬а A special drive has been initiated to expedite the process of handing over Retail Outlets to such candidates.
As part of this initiative/special drive, approximately 600 such Retail Outlets have been identified across the country.┬а The process of allotment has been initiated in a transparent manner by putting in the public domain the details of LoI holders as well as the details of the Retail Outlets which are to be divested.┬а The process is likely to be completed by 31.03.2017.┬а It is likely to benefit more than 500 SC/ST candidates, widows and unmarried women (above 40 years) without earning parents.┬а This will provide necessary employment opportunity along with economic empowerment.
