Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan allotted 195 petrol pumps to women and SC/ST community as the government looks to increase the number of outlets for the weaker sections of society.
“For the Modi government, Indian Constitution is the only guide for administration. Upliftment of SC/ST communities is a constitutional duty for us,” he said.
There are only 6,053 petrol pumps, or 11 percent of total 54,826 outlets, run by SC/ST against the warranted 12,000 to meet the 20 per cent norm. Pradhan said in the last three years, his ministry has taken several initiatives to help SC/STs awardees including revision of temporary company-owned-company-operated (COCO)divestment Policy in 2016. Under Corpus Fund Scheme for SC/ST/Women, ready builtretail outlets along with a working capital loan for full operation cycle will be provided, he said.
Pradhan further said, “If land at cheaper rates can be provided for opening hotel and setting up factories there is no reason why our SC/ST brothers should be deprived of this benefit,”
The allotment letters of temporary COCO outlets to SC, ST& Women beneficiaries was presented in presence of Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram.
