Centre plans fuel at your doorstep

New Delhi: The petroleum ministry is exploring the possibility of sale of petrol and diesel at the doorsteps of consumers through pre-booking.

The ministry on Friday made the announcement in a series of tweets. “Options being explored where petro products may be door-delivered to consumers on pre-booking,” said one of the tweets. Another added that the move “would help consumers avoid spending excessive time in long queues at fuel stations.”

According to sources, this statement was made by petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan during a meeting of the consultative committee of the MPs held in Srinagar on Friday.

Currently, petrol pumps are not allowed to sell petrol in plastic bottles or containers over fears that it could be misused by anti-social elements to hurt someone or make petrol bombs. There is also the possibility of  people adding kerosene and selling spurious fuel.

All India Petroleum Dealers Association, president Ajay Bansal said that petrol pump owners will oppose any move to introduce home delivery of petrol and diesel. “It is still not clear how the government proposes to go about it. But we will oppose it. Who will take the guarantee of the person whom fuel is being sold at home,” he said, adding home delivery of fuel will further hit their businesses.