West Bengal Relaxes Diesel Supply Restrictions for Essential Services, Agriculture and Public Utilities

Hospitals, Farmers, Tea Gardens, Government Offices, Residential Colonies Among Beneficiaries

Kolkata, June 29: In a major relief for essential services and key economic sectors, the Government of West Bengal has issued a notification granting exemptions and relaxations in the supply of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) for critical sectors across the state.

The directive, issued by the Food & Supplies Department, Directorate of Consumer Goods, follows the implementation of the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026, notified by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India on June 11, 2026.

The order has been communicated to the State Heads of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), directing them to ensure uninterrupted diesel supply to designated essential sectors.

Background

The State Government noted that while the Central Government’s order regulates the sale of diesel to industrial and commercial consumers and restricts dispensing diesel into non-PESO approved containers, representations from several government departments, industry bodies and public utility organizations highlighted the severe hardship faced by essential services.

Many critical operations—including backup generators, irrigation pumps, processing plants and estate vehicles—depend on purchasing diesel from nearby retail fuel outlets in containers or barrels.

Considering the importance of maintaining public services, healthcare, agriculture and economic continuity, the State Government has invoked Clause 4 of the 2026 Order, which empowers State Governments to grant exemptions to specified categories of consumers.

Sectors Covered Under the Relaxation

The exemption applies across all districts of West Bengal for the following sectors:

• Healthcare & Emergency Services
  • Hospitals and health clinics
  • Backup power generators
  • Police, Fire Services and Disaster Management vehicles
• Food Supply Chain & Agriculture
  • Harvesting and tilling operations
  • Irrigation pumps
  • Dairies
  • Poultry farms
  • Cold storage facilities
  • Bakeries
• Public Utilities & Government Services
  • Diesel Generator (DG) sets operating water and sewerage pumps in residential colonies
  • Government offices
  • Educational institutions
• Tea Garden Economy
  • Processing factories
  • Estate transport infrastructure

Major Relaxations Announced

The State Government has approved two significant relaxations:

1. Relaxation of Daily Diesel Dispensing Limits

Retail fuel outlets have been permitted to exceed the prescribed daily dispensing limits for verified consumers belonging to the notified sectors, including:

• Agriculture
• Hospitals
• Bakeries
• Dairies
• Poultry farms
• Cold storages
• Residential housing colonies
• Government offices
• Educational institutions
• Tea gardens
• Emergency services

2. Supply Through Barrels and Containers

Retail outlet dealers and fuel pump operators have been authorized to dispense High-Speed Diesel into non-PESO approved containers/barrels for these designated consumers to facilitate the operation of stationary equipment such as generators, irrigation pumps and processing machinery.

Directions to Oil Companies and Fuel Dealers

The Food & Supplies Department has instructed all fuel retailers and pump operators across West Bengal to ensure smooth and hassle-free diesel supply to authorized representatives of the exempted sectors.

Consumers seeking the benefit may be required to produce supporting documents such as:

• Institutional identity cards
• Trade registration certificates
• Land ownership records
• Official requisition letters
• Other relevant verification documents

Urgent Implementation

The Government has classified the matter as “Most Urgent”, emphasizing that uninterrupted diesel availability is essential for maintaining healthcare services, food production, public utilities and overall economic stability.

Copies of the directive have also been forwarded to:

• Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of Agriculture, Health, Animal Resources Development, Housing, Education and Emergency Services Departments.
• All District Magistrates.
• The Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal.

The notification is expected to provide immediate operational relief to hospitals, farmers, tea gardens, food processing units, public utilities and other essential service providers that rely heavily on diesel-powered equipment for uninterrupted functioning.

— IBG NEWS