Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to repeal “The Odisha High Speed Diesel (Dealers’ Licensing) Order, 1979” in a move to simplify regulatory procedures and improve ease of doing business in the petroleum sector.
As advised by the Unionl Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, the Cabinet approved the “Odisha High-Speed Diesel Dealers License Repeal, 2026,” removing the licensing requirement.
An advisory issued by the Ministry had asked States and Union Territories to abolish the requirement of Retail Sale Licence (RSL) for High-Speed Diesel (HSD) retail outlets to remove regulatory barriers and facilitate business operations.
The 1979 order had been notified under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate the sale and distribution of High-Speed Diesel in Odisha.
Sources said retail fuel outlets already obtain the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective Collector and District Magistrate before establishment. The NOC is granted based on clearances from departments including Fire Services, Works, Revenue and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
With the repeal of the licensing order, retail outlets will no longer be required to obtain the same clearances again for securing a retail sale licence, thereby reducing procedural duplication.
Officials said the move is expected to facilitate a more liberalised regulatory regime in the petroleum sector while ensuring ease of doing business.
However, the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act relating to the sale of High-Speed Diesel will continue to remain applicable, they added.
