Checked against the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (Ver. 1, effective 24.10.2024) on 15 October 2026. Published by MDG Services on 31 October 2026.
What the oil company does
| Topic | What the oil company does | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Quality tests | Tests quality at each step of handling, as the oil industry's quality control manual (IQCM) lays down, and records the results in its standard formats | MDG 3.1(a) MDG 3.1(c) |
| Water in depot tanks | Takes water dips in its storage tanks and takes remedial steps where needed | MDG 3.1(b) |
| Density at the filling point | Checks appearance, colour and density every two hours and at each tank change. Writes the density at 15°C and the tank number on every lorry's invoice | MDG 3.1(h) |
| Retained samples | Draws a sample each morning and at each tank change, keeps it at least 30 days, numbers it and puts the number in the delivery documents | MDG 3.1(e) |
| Ethanol in petrol | Blends within the prescribed limits and checks that ethanol is present before release. The dealer must see that the right quality of blended product is sold | MDG 3.1(f) |
| Kerosene | Releases it only after visual, appearance, colour, density and flash point checks, and dyes PDS kerosene blue. See kerosene dealers | MDG 3.1(d) MDG 3.1(g) |
| Lorry papers | Fills only lorries with a valid calibration certificate and explosives licence | MDG 3.1(i) |
| Seal numbers | Seals or locks the lorry and records the seal or lock numbers on the invoice | MDG 3.2 |
| GPS and VTS | Keeps GPS running. Does not fill a lorry whose VTS is missing or not working as prescribed. Time and route deviation alerts are visible to the dealer too | MDG 3.2 |
| Sample kit | Supplies sample containers, numbered seals, sealing wire, pliers and labels free of cost. The dealer asks for them | MDG 2.6(B) MDG 2.8 |
| Repairs | Attends breakdowns of its own equipment at your outlet | MDG 4.2(a) |
| Training | Keeps making efforts to train dealers and their staff. No number of sessions is set | MDG 3.3 |
It also checks lorries for leaks after filling, allows no mixed loads in lorries with a common manifold, and sends PDS kerosene only in separate blue lorries MDG 3.1(j) MDG 3.1(l). Malpractice found in a lorry is dealt with under the Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines MDG 3.1(k). What you do when the lorry arrives is on receiving a tanker and tank lorry VTS. For repairs, see breakdowns and leaks.
Watching the filling and the sample kit
For ex-MI supplies, you or your representative may watch the lorry being filled at the supply location and travel with it to your outlet. The outlet should also follow the lorry's movement MDG 3.2. MDG does not spell out "ex-MI". General knowledge, not MDG text: MI usually means marketing installation, the company's depot. Ask which of your supplies this covers.
What to do with the samples from the kit is on retention samples.
What MDG does not cover
- A penalty for the company. The action chapter sets actions against dealers and kerosene dealers, and none for company lapses MDG 2024, chapter 8.
- A deadline for the sample kit. You ask "in time", with no number of days MDG 2.6(B).
In this section
Questions dealers ask
01What are the duties of an oil company under MDG?
Chapter 3 sets them: quality and quantity checks at its storage points MDG 3.1, sealing and GPS tracking of tank lorries MDG 3.2, and training for dealers and their staff MDG 3.3. Other clauses add the free sample kit and repair of its own equipment MDG 2.6(B) MDG 4.2(a).
02What details should the oil company put on the tank lorry invoice?
The density at 15°C, the filling point, the tank number and the time the lorry was released MDG 2.2.1(iv) MDG 3.1(h), plus the seal or lock numbers MDG 3.2. The retained sample's number goes in the delivery documents MDG 3.1(e).
03How often does the oil company check density at the depot?
Every two hours at the lorry filling point and whenever the supply tank changes. It keeps records MDG 3.1(h).
04How long does the oil company keep fuel samples?
At least 30 days MDG 3.1(e). The sample's number is also written in your delivery documents, so a delivery can be tied to its sample.
05Does the oil company have to give the dealer sample containers and seals?
Yes, free of cost: containers, numbered plastic seals, ISI-marked steel sealing wire, pliers and labels. You must ask for them in time MDG 2.6(B) MDG 2.7 MDG 2.8.
Read the official text: Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (PDF on Bharat Petroleum's website) (also published on iocl.com).
Related pages
About Dealer Kavach (advertisement)
Dealer Kavach is an app from MDG Services that tracks your outlet's filings, renewals, inspections and daily reports, and reminds you before deadlines, in Hindi and English.