The government has introduced new rules for diesel sales to prevent revenue losses for state-owned oil companies and ensure fuel remains available for regular consumers.
Under the new rules, bulk buyers will no longer be allowed to purchase fuel from retail petrol pumps. The decision has come into effect immediately and will remain valid for up to three months.
Bulk Diesel Purchases No Longer Allowed
Many businesses such as malls, hospitals, large factories, travel agencies, and private bus operators used to buy diesel in large quantities from regular petrol pumps.
Now, these buyers will have to purchase diesel only from authorized bulk sale points. Retail petrol pumps will no longer be allowed to sell fuel in bulk quantities to such customers.
The move is aimed at ensuring that fuel meant for regular vehicle owners is not diverted elsewhere.
200-Litre Daily Limit for Every Vehicle
The government has also fixed a maximum limit of 200 litres of diesel per vehicle per day.
This means that no customer or vehicle can purchase more than 200 litres of diesel from a petrol pump in a single day.
Diesel will only be supplied directly into vehicle tanks or PESO-approved containers. The fuel purchased under these rules cannot be resold.
Officials believe this limit will help prevent overcrowding at petrol pumps and reduce the chances of sudden fuel shortages.
Why Has the Government Taken This Step?
According to officials from state-owned oil marketing companies, the main objective is to ensure that petrol and diesel remain available for genuine consumers.
The government also wants to stop the diversion of fuel because there is a significant difference between retail and wholesale diesel prices.
For example, diesel is currently sold at around ₹95.20 per litre at petrol pumps in Delhi, while its wholesale price is about ₹134.50 per litre.
Officials say the new restrictions will help maintain better fuel availability and prevent misuse of the pricing difference.
