Mumbai, June 19: In a bid to prevent fuel hoarding and ensure adequate availability of petroleum products, the Central Government and the Maharashtra Government have introduced temporary restrictions on the sale and purchase of petrol and diesel.
Under the new regulations, industrial, commercial and institutional consumers are required to purchase fuel only from wholesale fuel outlets and are prohibited from buying petrol or diesel from retail fuel stations. Additionally, no retail outlet can sell more than 200 litres of diesel per vehicle per day, and the resale of fuel has been strictly banned.
The restrictions have been imposed following concerns over disruptions in global energy supply chains due to geopolitical developments, which have put pressure on the availability of petroleum products across the country. Authorities observed that some large consumers were purchasing significant quantities of fuel from retail pumps, affecting regular supply.
The Centre issued the “Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026” on June 11, 2026, while the Maharashtra Government directed its implementation through an order dated June 12.
Earlier, on June 5, the state had also ordered strict action against fuel hoarding, black marketing, unauthorized filling of tankers and bowsers at retail pumps, fuel adulteration, leakage, illegal transfer, overcharging and the supply of substandard fuel.
To enforce the regulations, powers have been granted to divisional commissioners, district collectors, civil supplies officials, revenue authorities and police officers of Deputy Superintendent rank and above. The state government has instructed all agencies to maintain strict vigilance and take immediate action against violators.
