BPCL privatisation will only benefit consumers: Pradhan

New Delhi: Citing the example of the aviation and the telecom sector, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday that the privatisation of BPCL will only be good for consumers. Reiterating that the government has no business being in business, Pradhan said that the role of the government should be to create a policy framework that guarantees "affordability, accessibility, sustainability and security" of fuel to consumers.

BPCL privatisation will open up the fuel retail sector

Pradhan said that telecom and aviation sectors are shining examples of what competition can do for consumers. He said that the opening of these sectors to the private sector-led to a crash in phone call rates and internet charges and gave travellers a bigger basket of options and affordable fares to choose from. The statement comes as the Union Cabinet is expected to take up a proposal for the privatisation of BPCL as early as next week.

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'Govt has no business to be in business'

While refusing to comment on the value of the BPCL deal or the timeline set by the government for the sale, Pradhan said, "When Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says the government has no business to be in business, it is not a slogan. It is a philosophy. Our PSUs have done a commendable job in the building of modern India and ensuring the availability of fuel to the common man. But the common man will benefit most from the competition." "This democracy is committed to the common man of the country. We have to create ease of living through more open and process-driven regulation. Product is important, who is running it is not important," he said.

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