GOVT MAY OFFER PETROL, DIESEL HOME DELIVERY

The government is considering delivering petro leum products at consumers homes to cut long queues at fue stations, oil minister Dharmen dra Pradhan said on Friday.

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

Also, Pradhan said his minis try “does not approve or endorse” the move of a section of petrol pump dealers to close fue 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,” the minister said in a series of tweets.

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 big gest 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 empha sised on efforts made by his min istry and oil marketing compa nies (OMC) to promote digita payments through cards and e-wallets at fuel stations.

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