**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding the establishment of authorized petroleum retail outlets in the Lakshadweep Islands. The question was to be answered on December 18th, 2025. The response clarifies the government's position and actions regarding the expansion of the retail outlet network and provides details on the current status of establishing outlets in specific islands.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Expansion of Retail Outlets (ROs):**
* Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) continuously expand the RO network to ensure adequate fuel availability throughout the country.
* ROs are established based on field surveys, feasibility studies, and economic viability.
* **Procedure for RO Dealerships:**
* Details on RO dealership allotment procedures, norms, and criteria are available online.
* **Current Supply Situation:**
* Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) meets the MS/HSD requirements in Lakshadweep through four existing ROs and two depots.
* **New RO Dealerships:**
* IOCL issued advertisements in 2023 for new RO dealerships across five islands (Chetlat, Kadmat, Kiltan, Agatti, and Amini).
* A Letter of Intent has been issued for setting up an RO in Amini island.
* No applications were received for Chetlat and Kiltan islands.
* The single application received for Kadmat was found ineligible.
* In Agatti, the first provisionally selected candidate was found ineligible.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Residents of Chetlat, Kadmat, Kiltan, Agatti and Amini Islands**
* **Impact:** The establishment of new petroleum retail outlets would ensure uninterrupted fuel supply, supporting transportation, fisheries, power generation, and public services.
* **Action Required:** There is no specific action item for the residents.
**Stakeholder: Lakshadweep Administration/Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)**
* **Impact:** The Lakshadweep Administration is tasked with submitting proposals for establishing petroleum outlets in these islands. OMCs, particularly IOCL, are responsible for expanding the RO network.
* **Action Required:** No action is indicated for the OMCs or Lakshadweep Administration based on this document.
**Stakeholder: Potential RO Dealership Applicants**
* **Impact:** The process of application for new RO dealerships is ongoing, with variable outcomes on different islands.
* **Action Required:** All prospective appliciants need to consult the relevant website.
Key Entities Referenced
Lakshadweep: Union Territory of India where authorized petroleum retail outlets are being discussed.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The Indian government ministry responsible for petroleum and natural gas.
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs): Entities responsible for expanding the retail outlet network for petroleum products.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL): An Oil Marketing Company that has been working to provide retail outlets to Lakshadweep
Retail Outlet (RO): Petroleum Retail Outlets
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3176
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18th December, 2025
Authorised Petroleum Retail Outlets
3176. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:
पे(cid:282)ो(cid:871)लयम एव ं (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the islands of Chetlat, Kadmat, Kiltan, Agatti and
Amini in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep are facing difficulties due to the absence of
authorised petroleum retail outlets, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any proposals have been submitted by the Lakshadweep Administration or Oil
Marketing Companies for establishing petroleum outlets in these islands;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the present status of such proposals including
approvals, land availability and expected timelines;
(d) whether the Government proposes to prioritise the establishment of petroleum outlets in
these islands considering their essential role in supporting transportation, fisheries, power
generation and public services, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the time by which petroleum outlets are likely to be commissioned in Chetlat, Kadmat,
Kiltan, Agatti and Amini to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to the residents?
ANSWER
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी
((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (e) Expansion of Retail Outlet (RO) network (in urban/rural) by Public Sector Oil
Marketing Companies (OMCs) is a continuous process to ensure adequate availability of
motor fuels such as petrol & diesel throughout the country. ROs are set up by Public Sector
OMCs at identified locations based on field survey and feasibility studies. Locations having
sufficient potential and which are economically viable are rostered in the Marketing Plansfor setting up ROs. Procedure/Norms/Criteria for allotment of RO dealerships in the country
are available at https://www.petrolpumpdealerchayan.in/petrol-2023/.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has intimated that it meets the MS/HSD
requirements in Lakshadweep Islands through its four ROs situated at Kalepeni, Kavaratti,
Andrott and Minicoy and two depots at Kavaratti and Minicoy.
IOCL had issued advertisement in 2023 for new retail outlets dealership across all five
island- Chetlat, Kadmat, Kiltan, Agatti and Amini. IOCL has already issued Letter of intent
for setting up of RO in Amini island. For Chetlat and Kiltan islands, no application was
received. For Kadmat, single application received was found ineligible. In case of Agatti,
the first provisionally selected candidate has been found ineligible on scrutiny.
****