The government has decided to extend the deadline for bidding for the privatisation of Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) for the fourth time in a row from September 30 to November 16, following requests from interested parties citing the pandemic situation.
The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) said in a notification that ‘in view of requests from interested bidders and the prevailing situation arising out of Covid-19 pandemic, the last date for submission of Expression of Interests (EoIs) is further extended to 16th November 2020 (by 5.00 PM).’ According to a source aware of the development, prospective bidders had indicated that it would be difficult for them to travel from respective countries, to do the physical due diligence during the time of Covid and to evaluate the assets.
