The government has issued a new order under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to curb black marketing of petrol and diesel and regulate their distribution. The order states that no vehicle or individual will be allowed to obtain more than 200 liters of diesel from a petrol pump in a day.
This new rule is likely to impact trucks involved in long and medium-distance freight transport. The notification issued late Thursday night by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directs retail sales centers (petrol pump dealers) to sell diesel only in vehicle tanks or containers approved by PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization). No more than 200 liters of diesel will be sold to a single customer/vehicle in a day, and resale of diesel to such customers will also be prohibited.
Currently, there is no limit set for the retail sale of petrol, but there is a possibility of such a provision in the future. Additionally, measures are in place to prevent hoarding of diesel as well. This order, effective immediately, states that institutional and direct or industrial and commercial customers will not purchase petrol or diesel from retail sales centers.
They will fulfill their requirements only from their consumer pumps. The responsibility for enforcing these restrictions will lie with oil marketing companies and retail sales center dealers. This order will remain in effect for 90 days or until further notice.
To enforce the order, the central or state government may empower any gazetted officer or at least a police officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent to conduct searches and seizures. A sales officer of the oil company or an officer of equal or higher rank can also carry out this task. State governments and union territories have been instructed to take all necessary measures against hoarding, black marketing, unauthorized purchases, misuse of purchased products, and other malpractices related to petrol and diesel under the current order and other applicable laws.
Violations of these orders will be punishable under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and other applicable laws, and fines may also be imposed on violators. The government stated that institutional customers were taking undue advantage by purchasing from retail sales centers due to the recent disparity in wholesale and retail prices of petrol and diesel, adversely affecting availability for retail customers. It emphasized that this order was issued to ensure the fair availability of both fossil fuels and to prevent their hoarding.
The notification mentioned that in light of the current geopolitical situation and incidents of industrial, commercial, and institutional consumers taking undue advantage through purchases from retail sales centers, it is necessary to regulate the supply, distribution, and sale of petrol and diesel at fair prices in the public interest. The central government may grant partial or full exemption from this order to any consumer, consumer class, sector, transaction, or category of transactions by special order.
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