Parliament Question: Diesel Purchase Limit for Farmers

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6th August, 2026 DIESEL PURCHASE LIMIT FOR FARMERS † 3219. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA: पे(cid:7069)ोिलयम और (cid:7079)ाकृितक गसै म(cid:7074)ं ी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the hardship faced by farmers in major agricultural belts, including Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh, due to the 200-litre purchase limit on diesel for agricultural activities, affecting Kharif season cultivation and irrigation, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has conducted an assessment of the actual diesel requirements of farmers for operating tractors, harvesters, irrigation pumps and other agricultural machinery, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to review the agricultural diesel purchase ceiling to restore adequate supplies as before; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed timeline for its implementation? ANSWER प(cid:7069)े ोिलयम और (cid:7079)ाकृितक गसै म(cid:7074)ं ालय म (cid:7286)रा(cid:6996)यम(cid:7074)ं ी ((cid:7088)ी सुरेश गोपी) MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (d) : Owing to the West Asia Crisis, International Crude Oil prices increased sharply. To protect retail consumers, though the full increase in the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) was passed on to bulk consumers, only a partial increase was passed on to retail consumers resulting in a significant price differential between bulk price and retail price of HSD. This resulted into uneven extraordinary demand growth in some retail outlets due to shifting of bulk diesel volume to PSU Oil Marketing Retail Outlets (ROs). This was driven by industrial, commercial and institutional consumers shifting their procurement from their dedicated consumer pumps to ROs due to the said price difference between bulk and retail diesel prices. The diversion of HSD by bulk consumers led to localized supply issues and potential disruptions for bona fide retail consumers and essential services.

To address this situation and to ensure the availability and equitable distribution of HSD, the Central Government notified the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026 on 11.06.2026 and on 12.06.2026, it issued directions to PSU OMCs introducing temporary restrictions on Sale of HSD from their RetailOutlets. These measures were aimed at preventing black marketing, hoarding and diversion of HSD while ensuring uninterrupted availability of MS and HSD to retail consumers.

Following a review of the supply situation of petroleum products in the country, the Government decided to withdraw the temporary restrictions in public interest w.e.f. 1st July 2026 thereby restoring the normal supply arrangements of MS and HSD across the country including Ganganagar and Hanumangarh.