๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ฃ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued an order on Wednesday to stop industrial, commercial, and institutional users from buying petrol and diesel at retail fuel outlets. These groups must now purchase fuel through bulk sellers.
The Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026 directs oil marketing companies and fuel retailers to block bulk purchases from retail stations. The rule stays active for up to 90 days. The government will issue a fresh notification to extend it.
The move follows abnormal demand growth for diesel in some areas. Bulk consumers had moved to retail pumps after state-owned oil companies cut retail prices to protect ordinary buyers from cost spikes linked to the Middle East crisis in late February. This created a price gap. In Delhi, retail diesel costs Rs 95.20 per litre while bulk diesel costs Rs 134.50 per litre.
The government pointed to the current geopolitical situation affecting some regions. It said this has disrupted international petroleum supply chains, shipping logistics, and product availability.
The order states abnormal sales increases at retail outlets came from industrial, commercial, and institutional buyers shifting to pumps because of the price difference.
Under the new rules:
- Industrial, commercial, and institutional users are barred from buying fuel at retail outlets
- These users must buy fuel through their own consumer-operated pumps
- Retail diesel sales are limited to vehicle fuel tanks or containers approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation
- Purchases are capped at 200 litres per customer or vehicle per day
- Diesel is not for resale
The government said bulk buying at retail stations risks diverting supplies meant for ordinary consumers. It warned this would cause local shortages and disrupt essential services.
Public sector oil marketing companies and authorised fuel retailers will enforce the restrictions. State governments and Union territories must act against hoarding, black marketing, unauthorised procurement, and fuel diversion.
The government said the measures aim to ensure fair fuel availability, stop diversion and hoarding, and keep supply chains running. Violations carry penalties under the Essential Commodities Act. The government will issue special orders to exempt specific consumers, areas, or transactions.