New Delhi: The Centre has moved to stop large industrial, commercial and institutional users from buying petrol and diesel from regular retail pumps, after
a sharp jump in fuel sales at some outlets raised supply concerns.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026, on June 11. The order will stay in force for up to 90 days at first. It can be extended through another government order.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: This Control Order restricting daily sales of retail HSD (High Speed Diesel) to 200 litres is to prevent bulk purchase of HSD from Retail Outlets for diversion and resale to commercial and industrial customers causing supply issues. This… pic.twitter.com/cwIrA3sRjc
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2026
Why bulk buying became a problem
The issue is simple. Retail fuel is cheaper than bulk fuel in many places. In Delhi, diesel costs Rs 95.20 per litre at retail pumps. Bulk diesel is priced at Rs 134.50 per litre.
That is a huge gap for a factory, telecom tower operator, transport fleet, or construction firm. A small buyer may fill a car tank and go home. A bulk user may need thousands of litres. So, some large users shifted to regular pumps.
The ministry said this led to abnormal sales at retail outlets in parts of the country. The notification said, “It has been observed in current situation that abnormal increases in sales of Motor Spirit (petrol) and High Speed Diesel (diesel) through Retail Outlets in certain parts of the country are driven by shifting of industrial, commercial and institutional consumers to Retail Outlets owing to the price difference between retail and bulk sale prices.”
What changes now
Large users will have to buy fuel through bulk sale channels or their own consumer pumps. Retail outlets can sell diesel only for vehicle tanks or approved containers.
Key restrictions include:
- Diesel buying capped at 200 litres per customer or vehicle per day
- Diesel bought from retail pumps “cannot be resold”
- Action can be taken against hoarding, black marketing and diversion
The government said the move is needed “for equitable availability and distribution.”
