On December 11, 2025, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2021 was to be answered concerning the DPE Policy for Rental Accommodation. Shri Kali Charan Singh inquired about the CMD of HPCL residing in an expensive rented apartment in Nariman Point, Mumbai, despite available company accommodation in Chembur. He also asked about the approval of this accommodation by the HPCL Board, Audit Committee, or concerned Ministry, its accordance with DPE guidelines, the availability of a DPE policy for expensive rental accommodation for CMDs/Directors in Maharatna/Navratna CPSEs, the residence of other HPCL Board Directors (Functional/Independent) in company or private accommodation, and whether the Government is considering an inquiry or special audit into the matter.
Shri Suresh Gopi, Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, responded that there is no designated official accommodation for the CMD or other Board Level Executives of HPCL. Executives stay in company owned/company leased/leave and license accommodation in accordance with company policy. The Board of Directors of HPCL is competent to decide on lease rentals, following extant Government guidelines. Executives can also choose to stay in their own houses and receive House Rent Allowance (HRA). Independent Directors are not provided accommodation/HRA.
Key Entities Referenced
DPE Policy for Rental Accommodation: Policy regarding rental accommodation, likely guidelines for benefits and austerity.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The Ministry responsible for answering questions regarding the policy and its application.
HPCL: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited; the company at the center of the inquiry regarding rental accommodation.
Mumbai: City where accommodation inquiry takes place, Nariman Point and Chembur specifically mentioned.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2021
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH DECEMBER, 2025
DPE POLICY FOR RENTAL ACCOMMODATION
†2021. SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH:
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the present CMD of HPCL has chosen to live in an expensive rented
apartment in Nariman Point, Mumbai, despite the availability of official company
accommodation in Chembur, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether this high-value accommodation had the approval of the HPCL Board, Audit
Committee or the concerned Ministry, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is in accordance with the DPE’s benefits and austerity guidelines, if so, the details
thereof;
(d) whether any approved DPE policy is available for such expensive rental accommodation for
CMDs/Directors in Maharatna /Navratna CPSEs and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether other Directors on the HPCL Board (Functional /Independent Directors) reside in
company allotted accommodation or in private rented premises, if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Government is considering conducting an inquiry /special audit into the matter
and if so, the details thereof?
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 (f) : There is no designated/official accommodation for the CMD or other Board Level
Executives of HPCL. Executives stay in company owned/company leased /leave and license
accommodation in accordance with company policy. As per extant Government guidelines,
which have been followed in the instant case, Board of Directors of HPCL is competent to
decide on lease rental. Executives can also choose to stay in their own house and be entitled to
House Rent Allowance (HRA). Independent Directors are not provided accommodation / HRA.
*****