Parliament Question: Fuel Price Trends and Supply in Punjab

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2206 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 FEBRUARY, 2026 Fuel Price Trends and Supply in Punjab

2206. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI: पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has monitored the trends in petrol and diesel price and the supply conditions in Punjab, where petrol prices have hovered around specific levels and daily dynamic pricing continues to influence consumers;

(b) if so, the reasons for persistent volatility in fuel prices affecting citizens and transporters;

(c) whether any measures have been taken to stabilise fuel prices and ensure consistent supply across Punjab, including stronger oversight on illicit or unauthorised fuel distribution; and

(d) if so, the outcomes of such measures and the details of price moderation or regulatory interventions? ANSWER पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी ((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी) MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (d): Prices of petrol and diesel are market determined and Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on pricing of petrol and diesel. The final selling prices of petrol and diesel include excise duty fixed by the Central Government and State Value Added Tax (VAT)/Taxes fixed by the respective State Governments. Central Government uniformly decreased the prices across the country by reducing excise duty in November 2021 and May 2022 by Rs. 13/litre and Rs. 16/litre on petrol and diesel respectively. While most State governments reduced VAT rate to provide further relief to citizens, some State Governments did not.

The details of Retail Selling Prices (RSP) of Petrol and Diesel in Delhi and Punjab (Jalandhar) as on 06.02.2026 are given below: (Rs./Litre) Petrol Diesel State Reference City Excise Excise VAT RSP VAT RSP Duty Duty Delhi New Delhi 21.90 15.40 94.77 17.80 12.83 87.67 Punjab Jalandhar 21.90 17.45 97.55 17.80 12.41 87.38

Source: Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)Government have made fiscal interventions whenever necessary to calibrate the tax structure applicable for petroleum products. In April 2025, excise duty on Petrol and Diesel was increased by Rs. 2 per litre each but this was not passed on to consumers.

PSU OMCs have also carried out an intra-state freight rationalisation. This has benefitted consumers located at remote areas, far from Petroleum Oil & Lubricants (POL) Depots in the form of reduced Petrol and Diesel prices in remote parts within the states. This initiative has also reduced the difference between the maximum and minimum retail prices of Petrol or Diesel within a state. The prices of petrol and diesel in the States across the country vary due to differing freight rates, VAT/local levies etc.

Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have 10 Terminals/Depots (BPCL-4, HPCL-3, IOCL-3) and 4061 number of Retail Outlets (BPCL-837, HPCL-1095, IOCL-2129) in the State of Punjab to ensure uninterrupted and consistent supply of MS & HSD across Punjab.

PSU OMCS have formulated & implemented Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) and regular/surprise inspections are carried out by OMCs' officials periodically at the Retail Outlets to check irregularities/ malpractices and action is taken in established cases as per the MDG and the Dealership Agreement.

The Central Government has also issued the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 which provides for punitive action against malpractices. Further, in June, 2022, the Government has extended the scope of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) to all retail outlets including remote area retail outlets. USOS have been prescribed so that authorized entities provide quality and uninterrupted fuel supply services to the consumers.

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