Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a complete ban on the sale of petrol in plastic bottles across the state in a move aimed at ensuring public safety and curbing illegal fuel trade. The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting chaired by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra at Lok Seva Bhawan on Monday.
During the meeting, Minister Patra held detailed discussions with representatives of petroleum dealers’ associations and senior departmental officials. He emphasized the need to discourage the sale and purchase of petrol in plastic bottles, which poses significant fire hazards and often fuels black market practices.
Minister Patra directed all petroleum associations to strictly follow safety guidelines issued by public sector oil companies. He further informed that district collectors will be tasked with monitoring the enforcement of the new regulation at the ground level. While the ban is comprehensive, existing rules for retail sale of petrol to institutions, farmers, and government bodies will continue to remain valid.
In addition, the minister made it clear that strict action will be taken against individuals or entities selling petrol illegally at roadside stalls or unauthorized outlets. He warned that petrol pumps found facilitating such illegal sales would also face consequences.
Representatives from the associations assured full cooperation and expressed their support for the government’s safety-first approach.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Special Secretary of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Shridhar Nayak, Senior Joint Controller of Legal Metrology Harish Chandra Patnaik, Deputy Director of Marketing Intelligence Deepak Satpathy, and State-Level Coordinator of public sector Oil Companies Kamal Sil. Office bearers from key petroleum associations, including Sanjay Lath, Mahinder Singh Kalsi, and S.K. Rahman, also participated in the discussions.
