BPCL is India's third largest company with a sales turnover of Rs 97189.37 crore (Rs 971.89 billion). Listed in the Fortune 500 & Forbes 2000 listings, BPCL calls itself a 'MNC in PSU garb'. Ashok Sinha is the chief managing director of the fast track company.

Way back in 1976, the Burmah Shell Group of Companies was taken over by the government of India to form Bharat Refineries Limited. On 1st August 1977, it was renamed Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. It was also the first refinery to process newly found indigenous crude (Bombay High), in India.

After nationalisation in 1976, Bharat Petroleum charted out a rapid growth path. Turnover, profitability and financial reserves have grown significantly over the years. Bharat Petroleum produces a range of products, from petrochemicals and solvents to aircraft fuel and speciality lubricants, besides supplying fuel directly to hundreds of industries, and several international and domestic airlines.

Image: A worker sets up decorative lights atop a petrol station in New Delhi | Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images