M A I N   N E W S

Pump allotment probe begins

New Delhi, August 23
The government today began a probe into the allotment of petrol pumps and gas agencies done by non-BJP governments between 1983 and 2000 apparently to see if there had been political favours in giving licences.

“The government has sought a review of all allotments made during this period,” Petroleum Minister Ram Naik told reporters in Mumbai without elaborating.

The inquiry, launched on a demand made by 110 NDA MPs after allegations of favouritism surfaced in the allotments made during the BJP rule, Mr Naik said, would be completed within 45 days.

Mr Naik, however, did not say if the government intended to cancel the allotments found to be done on grounds other than merit as had been done by the Prime Minister after allegations of favouritism were levelled against awarding of dealerships for petrol pumps, gas agencies and kerosene dealerships since 2000.

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and the IBP have been asked to provide lists of beneficiaries during the Congress-rule from 1983 to 1989 under one block, followed by those made between December 2, 1989 and March 13, 1991, when Mr V.P. Singh and Mr Chandra Shekhar were Prime Ministers.

Allotments made under the P.V. Narasimha Rao government between 1991 and 1996 will be clubbed in one list while the allotments made during 1996-97 will be listed separately followed by those made during 1998-99, they said. PTI