The Indian government has prohibited petrol pumps from selling auto fuel to bulk users and capped diesel sales at 200 litres per vehicle in a day to curb state-run oil companies' revenue losses.
The move, which came into effect immediately, is aimed at ensuring the availability of petrol and diesel to genuine customers and preventing the diversion of auto fuels due to a huge rate difference between pump prices and bulk-sale prices.
The government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act (ECA) to enforce the ban on bulk fuel buying, directing industrial and commercial customers to meet their fuel requirements from their own consumer pumps.
The cap on diesel sales is particularly stringent, with retail outlet dealers only allowed to dispense high-speed diesel in vehicle tanks or PESO-approved containers, not exceeding 200 litres in a day to a customer/vehicle.
The order, which is in effect for a maximum of three months, is the latest in a series of measures taken by the government to ensure regular supply of fuel to citizens despite massive supply-chain disruptions since the war broke out in West Asia.
