Government has permitted Primary Agricultural Credit Societies to take up retail dealership of petrol/diesel pumps. In this regard, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has revised its guidelines to prioritize PACS under the Combined Category-2 (CC-2) for selection of dealers for regular & rural retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets, for which PACS can apply online as per the advertisements issued by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Further, PACS have also been given one-time option to convert their wholesale consumer pumps into Retail Outlets for which Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has released detailed guidelines.

As informed by OMCs, 286 PACS from 25 States/UTs have submitted online applications to establish retail petrol/diesel outlets. OMC reports indicate that 109 PACS from 4 States have agreed to this conversion, with 45 PACS have already received Letters of Intent (LOI) from the OMCs.

This initiative helps strengthen PACS by creating additional revenue streams and enhancing their financial sustainability. It also generates significant employment opportunities for rural youth through the operation and management of the retail outlets. Moreover, by making fuel more accessible in rural areas, it supports agricultural and transportation needs, contributing to local economic growth and reducing dependence on urban centers for such services.

This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. 

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RK/VV/ASH//RR/PR/PS/1761

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