Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today reviewed the existing policy for allotment of retail outlets to candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. <br/><br/>He directed the Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs to expedite selection process of SC/ST locations advertised in 2014 -15. Additional time has been allowed to SC/ST applicants to submit land to the OMCs for consideration of their applications for RO. <br/><br/>A large number of Letter of Intent (LoI) holders are awaiting allotment of retail outlets which is primarily done by divesting the temporary company owned Retail Outlets. <br/><br/>The LoI holders since 2004, belonging to SC/ST community are also awaiting such allotment. A special drive has been initiated to expedite the process of handing over Retail Outlets to such candidates. <br/>As part of this initiative, approximately 600 such Retail Outlets have been identified across the country. <br/><br/>The process of allotment has been initiated in a transparent manner by putting in the public domain the details of LoI holders as well as the details of the Retail Outlets which are to be divested. <br/><br/>The process is likely to be completed by 31st of next month. It is likely to benefit more than 500 SC/ST candidates, widows and unmarried women (above 40 years) without earning parents. This will provide necessary employment opportunity along with economic empowerment.