The Centre has imposed temporary restrictions on the purchase of Motor Spirit (petrol) and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by institutional, industrial, and commercial consumers in an effort to prevent fuel shortages and maintain uninterrupted supplies across the country amid disruptions in global supply chains caused by the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, institutional, industrial, and commercial customers will no longer be allowed to procure petrol and diesel from retail fuel stations. Instead, they have been directed to source their fuel requirements through their own consumer pumps.
The government emphasized that Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel are essential commodities whose continuous availability at reasonable prices is crucial for the transportation sector, agricultural activities, emergency services, and national security operations. The restrictions have been introduced as a precautionary measure to ensure that fuel remains readily available to ordinary consumers and critical sectors during the current geopolitical uncertainty.
As part of the order, retail fuel outlets have also been instructed not to sell more than 200 litres of High-Speed Diesel to any customer in a single day. The move is aimed at preventing bulk purchases and hoarding that could strain local fuel supplies.
The Ministry stated that the restrictions will remain in force for a period of up to 90 days. It noted that several states had raised concerns about large-scale fuel purchases by commercial entities, which were causing inconvenience to retail customers and farmers who depend on uninterrupted access to diesel for agricultural operations.
Officials said the decision was necessary to curb speculative buying and other practices allegedly being adopted by unscrupulous elements during the ongoing crisis. By regulating bulk purchases, the government aims to stabilize fuel availability and prevent artificial shortages in various regions.
The Ministry has directed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and fuel station dealers across the country to strictly implement the order and ensure full compliance. Authorities have described the measure as temporary and preventive, intended solely to safeguard public interest and maintain a smooth supply of fuel until global supply chain conditions stabilize.
The latest move reflects the government's efforts to shield domestic consumers from the potential fallout of international geopolitical tensions and ensure that essential fuel supplies remain accessible across the country.
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