Govt warns Nayara, RIL-BP against fuel sales caps amid diesel curb reports

New Delhi: Restricting fuel sales at pumps is unacceptable, oil secretary Neeraj Mittal said Thursday, amid reports private fuel retailers Nayara Energy and Reliance Industries-BP joint venture have capped sales following a surge in global crude oil prices.

"Nobody is allowed to put a cap on fuel sales," Mittal said at a press conference. "We will take it up. We will tell them this is not acceptable." "In the past also, instructions have been issued," he said. "So, the same thing applies even today. There is no change in the government's view on this."

Nayara Energy and RIL-BP outlets have reportedly limited diesel sales to customers. International diesel prices have surged, making exports more attractive for refiners than supplying to the domestic market where retail prices have remained unchanged since May this year.