MRPL to enter fuel retailing with 100 `HiQ’ outlets

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL), a subsidiary of state-run oil explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is entering the fuel retailing business with 100 retail outlets in the first phase in and around Karnataka.

MRPL has created a unique and distinct retail brand 'HiQ' for its retail outlets, which will be set up by MRPL at strategic locations to offer high quality products and services.

Two retail outlets are already operating in Hubli and Maddur in Karnataka.

MRPL has licence for 500 retail outlets while parent ONGC has licence to open 1,100 retail outlets.

However, since ONGC has said it has no plans to enter fuel retailing business, MRPL may utilise the parent company's licence as well.

MRPL chairman DK Saraff said the board of the refiner had approved the retail outlet plans a couple of years ago.

Apart from offering high quality fuels, HiQ outlets also offer fuel related services like free air and non-fuel related services like eateries, clean toilets etc.

MRPL has advertised the offer for select location initially in Bangalore. MRPL said it will also consider applications made outside the advertisement from government and semi-government organisations, PSUs, strategic public / private partners having profitable operations for at least three years or more and having a minimum turnover of Rs100 crore during the last financial years prior to the date of application of dealership and not intending to make dealership activity their main business.

Individuals / non-individuals meeting the eligibility criteria can apply and selection is made from amongst eligible applicants after the due evaluation process described hereunder.

The offer made by applicants will be valid for a minimum period of one year from the date of last date of submission of applications.

All applicants should be Indian nationals and should not be less than 21 years old. Minimum qualification is SSLC or its equivalent.

All partners should individually fulfill the eligibility criteria. Each partner should submit separate application form along with separate application fee. The applications should be clubbed together and sent along with the registered / draft partnership deed.