Agencies | New Delhi:
The Centre on Monday withdrew the temporary restrictions on the sale and distribution of petrol and diesel that were imposed earlier this month to prevent hoarding, diversion and black marketing of fuel during disruptions triggered by the conflict in West Asia.
In an order issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the government said the temporary regulatory measures introduced on June 12 would stand withdrawn with effect from July 1 following a review of the country’s petroleum product supply situation.
The restrictions had been imposed after the government kept retail prices of petrol and diesel unchanged despite a sharp increase in international crude oil prices during the West Asia conflict. The resulting price difference between retail and bulk fuel sales prompted some industrial, commercial and institutional consumers to purchase fuel from retail outlets, leading to instances of diversion, hoarding and black marketing, the ministry said.
Under the June 12 order, retail outlets operated by public sector oil marketing companies were directed to limit the sale of High Speed Diesel (HSD) to 200 litres per customer or vehicle per day. Industrial, institutional and commercial consumers were also required to procure fuel through designated consumer pumps instead of retail outlets.
The ministry said the measures were introduced to ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol and diesel for retail consumers while preventing misuse of subsidised retail supplies.
“Following a review of the supply situation of petroleum products in the country, the Government has concluded that the temporary regulatory measures are no longer required in the public interest,” the ministry said.
It added that the temporary restrictions had helped maintain adequate fuel availability across the country and that their withdrawal reflected improved supply conditions and the restoration of normal distribution arrangements.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity surrounding the West Asia situation also gathered pace. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran had requested a meeting, which he said would take place in Doha on Tuesday, signalling renewed diplomatic engagement following recent regional tensions.
“IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said US envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner would travel to Qatar this week for high-level meetings. An AFP source familiar with the discussions said US and Iranian officials were expected to meet in Doha to discuss implementation of an agreement reached earlier this month. However, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied reports that technical-level talks had been scheduled for this week.
