Speaking at an interaction organized in Kathmandu on Friday, NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Prasad Ghimire said that the state-owned oil monopoly has already instructed all its depots to send petroleum products to Kathmandu which will be distributed from all petrol pumps in the capital city. "We have already issued instructions to all depots to send petroleum products to Kathmandu. NOC will soon start distributing 300,000 liters of petrol and 500,000 liters of diesel in Kathmandu on a daily basis. This will make the supply normal," he claimed.
He, however, said supply of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas will not be normal anytime soon. "Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has said that it cannot increase supply of LP gas. So, the decision to distribute 7.1 kg will be in effect until another decision is taken," he added.
According to Ghimire, IOC is loading only around 15 bullets a day while the daily demand stands at 55 bullets. "Since IOC has said it cannot increase supply, LP gas availability is unlikely to improve anytime soon," he added.
He also refuted news reports that said NOC was to distribute bonus to its staff. "Bonus was allotted in our balance sheet as per the Bonus Bylaws. We won't distribute bonus as our board of directors has decided to not distribute bonus until our accumulated debt is cleared," he added.
Shiva Ghimire, president of Nepal LP Gas Industry Association, said that distribution of half-filled cylinders has increased cost of operation of bottling industries and created inconvenience to customers. "We will distribute half-filled cylinders only if the government agrees to reimburse additional costs incurred by us. Or else, we will start distributing full cylinders," he added.
Baburam Humagain, general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumers' Rights, accused the government of supporting corrupt market and helping the black market to flourish.
PETRO DEALERS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY IN FUEL DISTRIBUTION
Meanwhile, National Petroleum Dealers Association of Nepal (NPDAN) has demanded with the government ensure transparency in distribution of petroleum products.
Issuing a statement on Friday, the association accused the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) of not collaborating with the association and consumer groups, giving priority to direct order in distribution of petroleum products, and supplying fuel to the government pumps more than their capacity.
It has also warned that petrol pumps across the country will not be able to distribute fuel if the NOC does not adopt 'justifiable distribution process' to supply fuel from its depots.
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