Notification under Section 12 of the Petroleum Act, 1934

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-29032026-271392 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 1565] NEW DELHI, SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026/ CHAITRA 8, 1948 MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 29th March, 2026 S.O. 1630(E).—Whereas, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 12 of the Petroleum Act, 1934 (30 of 1934), the Central Government may exempt any petroleum specified in the notification from all or any of the provisions of Chapter 1 of the said Act by notification in the Official Gazette. And whereas, Rule 201 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 empowers the Central Government to exempt any class or classes of petroleum from all or any of the provisions of these rules, by order, on the recommendation of the Chief Controller, in exceptional cases, on such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order. And whereas, in view of the prevailing geo-political situation affecting energy supplies worldwide, the Central Government has decided to make an ad hoc allocation of Public Distribution System (PDS) Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) to the States/Union Territories (UTs) including 21 States/UTs which are PDS SKO free as detailed at Annexure, for distribution to households for cooking and lighting purposes. And whereas, in order to facilitate public distribution of PDS SKO, the Chief Controller, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) vide circular No. VIII(3)125/Circular/Petroleum dated 12.03.2026 (hereinafter referred as "circular") has granted a temporary permission to the Public Sector Undertaking Oil Marketing Companies (PSU OMCs) to store SKO up to 2500 litres in a shed within the existing service stations licensed in FORM XIV of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 subject to conditions specified therein. And whereas, in order to further facilitate prompt distribution of PDS SKO to households for cooking and lighting purposes in the PDS SKO free States/UTs, the Chief Controller, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) has recommended for grant of certain exemptions/permissions stipulated in the Petroleum Rules 2002 which have been duly considered by the Central Government. Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 12 of the Petroleum Act, 1934 read with rule 201 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002, the Central Government hereby exempts and permits, subject to the conditions specified herein, for facilitating distribution of PDS SKO in PDS SKO free States/UTs for cooking and lighting purposes only, namely: 1. Permission to service stations licensed in FORM XIV.- A maximum of two service stations of PSU OMCs preferably Company Owned Company Operated (COCO), as designated by the State Government or Union Territory administration in each district of PDS SKO free States/UTs licensed in FORM XIV (Licence to Store Petroleum in tanks in connection with pump outfit for fuelling motor conveyances) under rule 141 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 are hereby permitted to store PDS SKO otherwise than in bulk up to 5,000 litres, subject to the conditions specified in the said circular dated 12.03.2026 issued by the Chief Controller. 2. Exemption from licence in FORM XVIII for agents or dealers.- Agents or dealers of PDS SKO are hereby exempted from obtaining licence in FORM XVIII (Licence to Decant Kerosene (Petroleum Class B) from mechanically propelled vehicle in containers) under rule 141 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002, subject to the conditions specified in FORM XVIII, for decanting of PDS SKO at the service stations of PSU OMCs so designated by the State Government or Union Territory administration in each district of PDS SKO free States/UTs. 3. Exemption for tank vehicles licensed in FORM XIX.- Tank vehicles licensed in FORM XIX (Licence to transport Petroleum Class A/B in bulk on land by mechanically propelled vehicles viz. refuelling) are hereby exempted from obtaining licence in FORM XVIII for decanting of PDS SKO at the service stations of PSU OMCs so designated by the State Government or Union Territory administration in each district of PDS SKO free States/UTs. 4. Conditions.- a. the above exemptions and permissions shall be applicable only for distribution of PDS SKO for cooking and lighting purposes at the designated service stations designated by the respective PDS SKO free States/UTs. b. the quantity of PDS SKO stored at any such service station shall not exceed 5,000 litres. с. all safety norms, handling procedures and operational guidelines issued by the Chief Controller shall be strictly complied with. d. records of decantation, storage and distribution of SKO at the service stations of PSU OMCs so designated, shall be maintained by the concerned sales officer of PSU OMC and shall be made available for inspection to the concerned District Authority and the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation. This Notification shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of 60 days or until further orders, whichever is earlier. [F. No. M-11021(16)/1/2026-Distribution-PNG] ARUN KUMAR, Director ANNEXURE List of PDS SKO Free States/Union Territories: 1. NCT of Delhi 2. Chandigarh 3. Haryana 4. Punjab 5. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 6. Puducherry 7. Andhra Pradesh 8. Andaman & Nicobar Islands 9. Rajasthan 10. Uttar Pradesh 11. Goa 12. Gujarat 13. Uttrakhand 14. Lakshadweep 15. Jammu & Kashmir 16. Laddakh 17. Telangana 18. Himachal Pradesh 19. Nagaland 20. Madhya Pradesh 21. Sikkim Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-10054. Digitally signed by GORAKHA NΑΤΗ Date: 2026.03.29 18:56:59 +05°30′ GORAKHA NATH YADAVA YADAVA