According to a new order, all the petrol pumps in the State won’t be able to sell petrol to commercial consumers and bulk buyers beyond a permissible limit. This has raised concerns among a large section of society, including farmers and pump owners. However, talking to ‘The Hitavada’, an officer of an oil company shared that in view of the phenomenal increase in sales of petrol and diesel, oil companies are on a path to rationalise sales, keeping small buyers’ interests in consideration and following measures to avoid dry-up situations at retail outlets. Elaborating more on this, Ajay Kumar Shrivastava, Chief General Manager, State Head & State Level Co-ordinator, Oil Industry, Madhya Pradesh, said that the notification under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, is titled “The Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026.”

 

This order regulates the sale of petrol (MS) and high-speed diesel (HSD) through retail outlets for an initial period of 90 days. Main Provisions include: n Institutional, commercial, and industrial consumers will not purchase MS/HSD from retail outlets and will have to meet their fuel needs through authorised bulk sale points/consumer pumps. nRetail outlets will not sell more than 200 litres of HSD per customer/vehicle per day. n HSD purchased from retail outlets cannot be resold. n State governments, Union Territory administrations, and oil marketing companies have been empowered to take action against hoarding, diversion, unauthorised purchase, and black marketing. Violations are punishable under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

 

Underlining the objective, Shrivastava said that this order has been issued to ensure equitable availability of MS and HSD, prevent the diversion of scheduled supplies to retail consumers, and avoid local shortages caused by bulk consumers purchasing fuel from retail outlets. It has become effective from June 11, 2026, and its validity is 90 days, unless amended by the Government of India. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Ajay Singh, President of the Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pumps Association, said that it is not possible for farmers to bring their tractors from the middle of the harvesting process in remote villages to a petrol pump just to get fuel. Most important for them is timing; the sowing of some crops is time-bound and farmers cannot wait for a long period to get diesel. They have to store fuel to keep up their field activities. There must be some relaxation.