The Centre has decided to remove temporary restrictions on the retail sale of petrol and diesel to commercial consumers starting July 1. This move will allow industrial, institutional, and transport sector users to purchase fuel without any quantity limitations. The decision aims to ensure normal fuel procurement after a brief period of restrictions to safeguard domestic fuel supplies.
The restrictions, initially imposed on June 12 through the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel Order, 2026, had prohibited industrial, institutional, and commercial consumers from buying fuel from retail outlets. Additionally, diesel sales were capped at 200 litres per customer or vehicle per day. However, these limitations have now been lifted, enabling transport operators and industrial users to buy fuel without constraints.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had introduced these measures to prevent black marketing, hoarding of diesel, and diversion of fuel supplies from retail outlets. It clarified that these restrictions were temporary and could last up to 90 days if required. Officials emphasized that the measures did not indicate a shortage of petrol or diesel in the country and were not intended to ration fuel supplies.
The government’s decision to lift the restrictions was influenced by unusual demand patterns at various fuel stations. Many industrial and bulk diesel consumers had shifted their purchases from dedicated consumer pumps to retail outlets operated by public sector oil marketing companies. This shift was primarily driven by a significant price difference between retail and bulk diesel supplies, with retail diesel prices being approximately Rs 40 per litre lower than bulk diesel prices.
