Government passes a big decision on the sale and purchase of petrol-diesel

Amid Middle East tensions, the Indian government has announced a major decision regarding petrol and diesel. The government has tightened the rules on the bulk purchase of petrol and diesel from petrol pumps.

According to the government order, industrial, commercial and institutional users are being stopped from buying petrol and diesel from petrol pumps. They have been asked to meet their requirements through authorised bulk sale points.

Ban to Continue for 90 Days

The ban on buying petrol and diesel in bulk from petrol pumps will remain applicable for 90 days. However, according to government orders, the period may be extended.

According to sources, these steps were taken after an unusual increase in diesel demand in certain areas. Due to the price difference, bulk users started buying fuel from petrol pumps.

The difference in diesel prices came after state-owned oil companies kept retail prices under control in late February to protect consumers from rising costs following the Middle East crisis.

200-Litre Per Day Limit

The order states that amid Middle East tensions, some parts of the country witnessed an increase in oil sales through retail outlets. This is largely due to industrial, commercial and institutional consumers purchasing fuel from retail outlets because of the difference between retail and wholesale prices.

The notification restricts the sale of diesel at retail outlets to fuel tanks of vehicles or containers approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). A limit of 200 litres per day has been set per consumer or per vehicle.

Why Is This Important?

According to the government, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 11 issued the ‘Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026’, under which petrol-diesel retailers and oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been directed to stop bulk purchases from retail outlets for a period of 90 days.

The government said the move was necessitated by the current geopolitical situation affecting parts of the world. This has adversely affected the global oil supply chain, shipping logistics and the availability of petroleum products. The move is important to ensure that essential services for the common people are not affected.