The Central Government has moved to regulate the sale of petrol and diesel through retail outlets after detecting an abnormal increase in fuel purchases in certain parts of the country, raising concerns over hoarding and supply disruptions.
In a notification issued on June 11, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas invoked the Essential Commodities Act to introduce temporary restrictions on bulk procurement of Motor Spirit (petrol) and High-Speed Diesel from retail outlets.
The government said unusually high fuel purchases in some regions, driven by a widening gap between retail and bulk sale prices, could divert supplies meant for ordinary consumers, create artificial shortages and contribute to hoarding and black marketing.
The Petroleum Ministry said the measure was aimed at ensuring equitable distribution and uninterrupted supplies, while reassuring consumers that crude oil, petrol, diesel, LPG and natural gas supplies remain stable, with refineries operating at optimal capacity.
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