Draft Petroleum Bill proposes fines of up to ₹25 crore

The draft Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes decriminalising minor licence violations while introducing graded penalties for serious offences. Unlicensed activities could attract fines of up to ₹25 crore and imprisonment of up to three years. The draft also proposes civil penalties for licence breaches and tougher punishment for damaging petroleum infrastructure.