Centre Eases Kerosene Supply Rules Nationwide, Allows Sale Through Petrol Pumps For 60 Days

Last Updated:March 29, 2026, 10:04 PM IST

The notification empowers public sector oil companies to distribute kerosene through retail channels, including petrol pumps, for a period of 60 days.

People wait their turn to get subsidsed kerosene oil and wheat outside a government fair shop in Alwar district. (AFP file photo)

The central government on Sunday announced a temporary relaxation of petroleum safety and licensing rules to speed up the distribution of kerosene to households, amid disruptions in global energy supplies caused by the Iran war.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the measures, notified officially, will allow ad-hoc kerosene supply for cooking and lighting in 21 states and union territories.

The notification empowers public sector oil companies to distribute kerosene through retail channels, including petrol pumps, for a period of 60 days.

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The ministry said the government can temporarily exempt certain petroleum products from usual safety and licensing rules under the Petroleum Act of 1934 and 2002.

“The Central Government is empowered, by order, in exceptional cases, to grant exemptions from any provisions of the Act, or its sub-sections, to any category of petroleum, subject to such conditions as may be imposed,” the notification said.

“At the retail level, to ensure uninterrupted supply of energy products, the Central Government has approved the Public Distribution System (PDS) Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) for high-priority PDS operations. This applies to 21 states and union territories (as per the attached distribution annexure) where arrangements have been made to supply kerosene for household cooking purposes,” it added.

To facilitate this, companies are allowed to store up to 2,500 litres of kerosene per distribution unit at retail stations for household use. “Any other conditions specified in the Circular are to be strictly adhered to,” the notification said.

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