After a gap of eight years, state-run Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) have decided to open over 650 fuel stations across the union territories of Jammu –Kashmir and Ladakh.
Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the OMC’s including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has invited applications from the citizens for participating in bid for fuel stations at rural and urban pockets of J&K and Ladakh covering new highways, unexplored tourist destinations etc.
“To speed-up the development works and further accelerate the country’s fast-growing economy, the decision was taken to open new fuel stations,” an official said.
They added that bids have been invited to set up 643 new fuel stations across Jammu and Kashmir union territory and 34 in UT Ladakh.
“The development came for the first time after abrogation of article 370 and reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, post August 2019,” sources said adding, “the last time the expansion of OMCs retail network was carried out in 2018.”
The applicants have been asked to visit website www.petrolpumpdealerchayan.in for detailed advertisement and brochure and submit online form application with processing fee by September 27.
Though availability of suitable land at the advertised location, stretch is crucial but the applicants for SC/ST locations can still apply without land initially, but they are expected to offer land when called for.
Dharmendra Singh, Deputy General Manager (Corporate Communications), Indian Oil Corporation Limited said that the new retail outlet network further boosts the economy of the country and speeds up development activities.
“With the country’s economy experiencing significant development, the need for energy has increased manifold following which OMCs undertake massive expansion of the retail outlet network, which will cater to emerging markets such as urban areas, upcoming highways, agricultural pockets, rural, remote, and far-flung areas”.
The officer maintained that expansion of the network would also ensure the availability of that quality petroleum products to people besides creating employment opportunities for entrepreneurs.
He further said that the dealer selection process will be done through ease of doing business, for which OMCs introduced user-friendly and simplified online application forms.
“The selection process will involve a computerized draw of lots or bid opening conducted by an independent agency to enhance transparency,” the officer said.
He said that new dealerships of retail outlets have been seen as a significant opportunity for entrepreneurs to associate with Fortune 500 companies—(KNO)