Maharashtra Restricts Bulk Consumers At Retail Pumps
The Food and Civil Supplies Department issued an order on Friday, saying the restrictions are intended to prevent hoarding, black marketing and diversion of fuel, while assuring that petrol and diesel stocks remain adequate across the state.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has capped diesel sales at 200 litres per vehicle per day at retail fuel stations and barred industrial, commercial and institutional consumers from purchasing fuel from these outlets, citing concerns over possible fuel supply disruptions arising from evolving global geopolitical tensions.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department issued an order on Friday, saying the restrictions are intended to prevent hoarding, black marketing and diversion of fuel, while assuring that petrol and diesel stocks remain adequate across the state. The move follows a communication from the Centre regarding the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026.
A senior official from the Food and Civil Supplies Department said ordinary consumers would be allowed to purchase a maximum of 200 litres of diesel per day from any petrol pump.
Officials said sales of Motor Spirit (petrol) and High Speed Diesel (diesel) had risen unusually amid the ongoing sowing season, prompting the government to impose limits on diesel sales.
Under the order, institutional, industrial and commercial consumers have been prohibited from purchasing petrol or diesel from retail outlets and must procure fuel only from pumps designated for bulk consumers. Retail outlets have also been directed to dispense petrol and diesel only into vehicle fuel tanks or containers certified by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). “The sale of diesel shall not exceed 200 litres per vehicle per customer per day. Further, resale of such diesel is prohibited,” the order states.
The order mandates Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and retail outlet dealers to ensure strict compliance with the restrictions. “The regional and divisional offices of the concerned Oil Marketing Companies shall immediately communicate the provisions of this order to all retail outlet (petrol pump) dealers under their jurisdiction and ensure that the above conditions are being duly complied with. If any violation of this order is detected, action shall be taken against the concerned persons under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005. A report of such action shall be submitted to the department,” the order states.
Officials maintained that Maharashtra has adequate stocks of petroleum products and there is no immediate concern over fuel availability. As of June 13, 2026, the state had stocks of 4,64,426 kilolitres of petrol, 9,38,374 kilolitres of diesel and 67,728 metric tonnes of LPG.
