The government has barred bulk consumers from purchasing petrol or diesel from retail fuel stations and capped daily diesel sales at 200 litres per vehicle or customer under the Essential Commodities Act.Besides, diesel purchased from retail outlets cannot be resold. The measures are aimed at preventing the diversion of supplies meant for retail consumers, the government said. The order will remain in force for 90 days, and violations could attract fines or imprisonment under the Act.Since the start of the Iran war, retail diesel prices in India have increased only about ₹8 per litre, while bulk diesel rates have risen more than ₹50 per litre. The widening price gap has created a strong incentive for industrial, commercial and institutional consumers to shift their purchases to retail fuel stations.This has resulted in the "diversion of supplies intended for retail consumers and created the potential for localised shortages and disruption of essential services to the common man", the ministry said in its order.Before the war started on February 28, bulk diesel accounted for about 12% of total diesel sales in the country. Bulk diesel sales have since fallen 30-40% as bulk rates surged in line with international fuel prices.Over the past three months, there have been several reports of fuel shortages at retail outlets, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. The government has largely attributed these shortages to the shift of bulk consumers to retail pumps and fuel rationing by private retailers.Diesel sales by private fuel retailers fell 58% year-on-year in May as their higher prices discouraged customers, according to the petroleum and natural gas ministry. In contrast, diesel sales at state-run oil companies' outlets increased more than 10% in 327 districts and over 30% in 80 districts across the country.The surge in demand at state-run fuel stations led to temporary supply shortages in some areas.