India, Oct. 3 -- The Government has proposed decriminalising regulatory breaches such as violations of petroleum licence terms and introducing a civil-penalty regime, while retaining or strengthening criminal penalties for serious offences involving public safety, critical infrastructure and unauthorised petroleum operations.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has sought public and industry comments on draft amendments to the Petroleum Act, 1934, proposing a major overhaul of the law's provisions dealing with offences, penalties and enforcement.

The Petroleum Act, 1934, was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to the import, transport, storage, production, refining and blending of petroleum.

"It is proposed to amend...