The country’s largest public sector refiner and retailer, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), may consider bidding for the Centre’s stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) if such a need arises and the government agrees to reduce the quantum shares on offer in the company, including a waiver from mandatory open offer.
Top official sources said that BPCL would fit well into the scheme of things of IOC, and together the entity would become a powerhouse of refining and retailing activity, which would give tough competition to other players in the field, including the global giants eyeing the Indian market.
When asked recently, IOC Chairman Rajiv Singh did not deny IOC’s interest in BPCL, but said: “These are big offerings where the Government of India’s entire stake is being sold.”
