Petroleum Min Asks Dealers To Play Active Part In Energy Transformation
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Suri addressed the Plenary Session of the All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA) Conclave on 17 July 2025. He spoke of the importance of embracing green initiatives enhancing digital readiness, and evolving business models that are in line with India’s energy landscape.
While recognizing the role played by petroleum dealers in India’s energy ecosystem, Mr Puri urged them to become play a more active part in India’s energy transformation.
Mr Puri addressed the issues of the dealers concerning dealer commissions, operational costs, and other issues and citied the revision of dealer margins in October 2024 and the implementation of intra-state freight rationalisation to stress home the point that his ministry believes in “consultation, not confrontation”. He further said that structured platforms for feedback and grievance redressal would continue to be strengthened.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister called for the transformation of retail outlets into centers of excellence where digital payments, automated billing, clean toilets, strict safety protocols, and effective grievance redressal become the norm. He asked the petroleum dealer fraternity to leverage the prime location of their retail outlets to generate non-fuel revenue from convenience stores, battery swapping stations, utility bill payments, fintech services and water kiosks. He called upon the dealers to look beyond retail margins and redefine their role in line with the vision of energy self-reliance.
Mr Puri told the gathering the India accounted for 16% of global crude oil consumption growth despite facing global challenges like COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties. He said India had navigated the disruptions effectively and emerged as a global leader in energy growth with a projection of 25% contribution towards global growth in crude oil consumption over the next three decades. The Government, Mr Puri said, has ensured affordable and uninterrupted energy supply to citizens, even during times of global uncertainty.
