The Centre has capped diesel sales at 200 litres per day from retail outlets and barred bulk consumers from buying fuel from pumps under a 90-day order.
New Delhi, June 12: The Central Government has imposed temporary restrictions on the sale and distribution of High Speed Diesel (HSD) and Motor Spirit (MS), capping diesel purchases from retail fuel stations at 200 litres per customer per day and barring institutional and industrial consumers from sourcing fuel through retail outlets.
The order, issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 12, will remain in force for 90 days.
According to the order, retail outlet dealers of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd will be permitted to dispense diesel only into vehicle fuel tanks or Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)-approved containers. Purchases by a customer or vehicle cannot exceed 200 litres in a day.
The government has also prohibited the resale of diesel procured under the arrangement.
In another significant measure, institutional, direct, industrial and commercial consumers have been directed not to procure petrol or diesel from retail fuel stations. Such consumers must source their requirements exclusively through their own authorised consumer pumps.
The ministry said the directions were issued under powers conferred by the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026, notified on June 11.
The government stated that the restrictions were necessary to maintain supplies of petrol and diesel, ensure equitable distribution and guarantee availability at fair prices.
Public Sector Undertaking Oil Marketing Companies (PSU OMCs) and their retail outlet dealers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance and prevent any attempt to circumvent the directions.
The order also directs all State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to take necessary enforcement measures against hoarding, black marketing, unauthorised procurement, diversion and other malpractices involving petrol and diesel.
Authorities may invoke provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 and other applicable laws to enforce the restrictions.
The order is expected to affect:
Contractors, transport operators and businesses that routinely purchase diesel in bulk from retail fuel stations.
Industries and commercial establishments that have been sourcing fuel through nearby pumps instead of dedicated consumer pumps.
Bulk diesel purchases through drums, tanks or non-approved containers.
Ordinary motorists are unlikely to face any impact as fuel purchases directly into vehicle tanks remain permitted.
The government has not cited any specific supply disruption in the order. However, such temporary controls are generally introduced to prevent stockpiling, diversion and black marketing during periods of supply stress, logistical disruptions or anticipated demand spikes.
By limiting diesel sales through retail outlets and directing industrial consumers to use dedicated supply channels, the Centre appears to be attempting to preserve retail fuel availability for regular consumers while improving oversight of bulk fuel movement.
