Govt announces diesel sales limits at fuel stations to 200 litres per person per day

New Delhi, June 12: The Central Government has introduced temporary restrictions on the sale of diesel, allowing fuel stations to sell a maximum of 200 litres of diesel per person or vehicle in a day. The move is aimed at preventing hoarding, black marketing and unauthorised resale of fuel, while ensuring adequate supplies for consumers.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), industrial and commercial users, also known as bulk consumers, will no longer be permitted to purchase petrol or diesel from retail fuel stations. Instead, they must meet their fuel requirements through their own authorised consumer pumps.

The government has directed fuel station operators to dispense diesel only into vehicle fuel tanks or containers approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The quantity sold to any customer or vehicle must not exceed 200 litres per day, and the fuel purchased cannot be resold.

The notification places responsibility on oil marketing companies and fuel station dealers to ensure strict compliance with the restrictions and prevent any attempts to bypass them.

The order will remain in force for an initial period of up to 90 days from the date of issuance, unless revoked earlier. If the government decides to continue the restrictions beyond this period, a fresh extension order will have to be issued specifying the duration of the extension.

The Ministry has also instructed all states and union territories to take necessary measures to enforce the order and curb fuel-related malpractices, including hoarding, black marketing, unauthorised procurement and diversion of petrol and diesel supplies.

Authorities empowered to enforce the order include designated Central and State Government officers, police officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, and authorised oil company officials of at least sales officer rank. These officials will have powers of search and seizure under existing fuel supply and distribution regulations to ensure compliance.

The restrictions have been imposed under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005.