The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom has sought expressions of interest to procure 24,000 mobile phones for operating a petrol subsidy application.
This move comes as the government plans to introduce a digital system to provide subsidized fuel to consumers amid the ongoing energy crisis. Authorities have specified that only PTA-approved devices will be eligible for this initiative.
Officials stated that the National IT Board will set the pricing for the mobile phones, while oil marketing companies will handle their purchase and distribution to petrol pumps nationwide. Around 24,000 devices will be deployed at approximately 12,000 petrol stations, with two nozzles at each station allocated for subsidized fuel.
The mobile app, developed by the IT Ministry, is currently in its final testing phase. Through this platform, eligible users will receive digital vouchers to access subsidized petrol.
A proposal under review suggests providing up to 20 liters of subsidized fuel per month to motorcycle owners. However, a final decision on extending this benefit to cars with engines up to 800cc is still pending. Users will be restricted to their assigned quota under the system.
Officials added that the government is considering various measures to address the energy crisis and has contingency plans in place if conditions worsen. Meanwhile, monitoring of petrol pumps across the country has already started to ensure transparency and smooth implementation of the subsidy program.
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