Karnataka reinforces rules for sale of petrol and diesel; rationing reports spark confusion

The Karnataka Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has issued stringent guidelines to retail petrol bunks on the sale and distribution of petrol and diesel, even as reports of fuel rationing in parts of north Karnataka triggered confusion on Monday.

On May 8, the department directed all fuel stations to strictly adhere to regulated distribution norms, warning that violations could lead to cancellation of licences. It reminded outlets that, as per the 2002 guidelines, they are not permitted to dispense more than 200 litres of fuel, and such quantities can be supplied only through direct sales mechanisms and depots. As per the directions, fuel must be dispensed only into vehicle fuel tanks or authorised containers. Petrol bunks have also been barred from supplying petrol or diesel in bottles, plastic cans or any unauthorised containers under any circumstances.

Amid this, a petrol bunk owner in Hubballi said that company officials had orally instructed outlets to limit fuel supply to a maximum of 25 litres for cars and 150 litres for trucks and other commercial vehicles. However, another bunk owner in the city clarified that while there had been discussions around rationing, no official communication had been received. He added that, following directions from the Deputy Commissioner, fuel stations had already stopped dispensing fuel in containers such as cans and bottles.

Despite the reports, the situation on the ground appeared largely normal, with no visible restrictions for customers. Staff at several petrol bunks told The Hindu that they had not received any directives from their management regarding fuel rationing. However, they acknowledged that the ban on filling fuel in containers had affected businesses reliant on diesel for generators.

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, there has been no disruption or fuel rationing. Ravi Kumar, a petrol bunk owner in Bilekahalli, stated that no such rationing orders had been issued in the city. In Mysuru too, there were no instructions regarding fuel rationing, according to Shashikala Nagaraj, president of the Federation of Mysore Petroleum Traders. She confirmed that petrol bunks had only been directed not to dispense fuel in cans or bottles as a precautionary measure.