The government is considering various proposals, including shutting petrol pumps in the night to taper fuel demand as it looks at ways to cut the massive oil import bill, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M. Veerappa Moily said on Sunday.
“Various options and ideas have been floated. Shutting petrol pumps during night is one of them. But we have not decided. It is just a proposal,” Mr. Moily told PTI from Bangalore.
His Ministry plans to launch a massive fuel conservation drive from September 16 to cut fuel demand by 3 per cent and save an estimated Rs. 16,000 crore or $2.5 billion in forex outgo.
The oil import bill is being trimmed to bring down current account deficit.
“Shutting petrol pump is an idea that has come to us. We have not adopted it. It is not my view,” Mr. Moily said.
