The hapless consumers are left to bear the brunt and queue in front of petrol pumps for hours, braving scorching heat and torrential rains at times.
Meanwhile, the government hasn´t taken any initiative to resume supply though the Essential Services Act (ESA) gives it sweeping powers to take punitive action against strikes in the essential services sector, that includes petroleum supply. [break]
The fuel shortage surfaced suddenly on June 23, when the Central Region Tanker Operators Association (CRTOA) -- one of two splinter organizations of transporters -- launched the strike, bringing imports through Raxaul, the main import point, and distribution of fuel from Amlekhgunj and Thakot, to a grinding halt.
The reason for the strike: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) decided to relocate 60 tankers originally hired to import fuel from Barauni, India, to the Raxaul-Kathmandu route.
CRTAO argued that the addition of five dozen tankers would affect the businesses of operators working the route.
Utsav Itani, secretary of CRTOA, argued that NOC´s decision violated an agreement that it signed while opening the Barauni-Amlekhgunj import route. "The agreement clearly says NOC will in no case relocate the tankers hired for the new route to any other existing route," said Itani.
CRTOA forced NOC to withdraw its decision on June 23.
(File photo)
But two days later, Nepal Petroleum Transporters Federation (NPTF) -- the other splinter group of transporters importing fuel from Barauni - also launched a strike, brining import and supply to a halt.
Its demand: NOC must give them business and allow them to operate on the new route. Surprisingly, NOC agreed to that as well, following which NPTF withdrew its strike on June 29.
Before petroleum supply returned to normal, CRTOA on Monday announced a fresh strike from Tuesday. It now wants NOC to withdraw from the understanding it reached with NPTF and that no new tankers should be inducted into the route its members operate.
While this reckless strike penalizes hapless consumers the government shows no urgency to intervene.
The spokesperson at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies said, "We are monitoring the situation closely. We will take appropriate steps at a proper time."
The government´s inaction has rightly drawn harsh criticism from consumers and petroleum dealers. "This reflects nothing but sheer incompetence and insensitivity on the part of the government," fumed Saroj Pandey, president of Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association.
He demanded that the government instantly activate the ESA, which allows it to impose a ban on strikes in the production and distribution of essential products and services, including the petroleum sector.
"ESA has been enforced to tame transporters in the past. It must be enforced yet again to end this senseless strike and give consumers relief," said Pandey.
NOC, which relocated 60 tankers from the Barauni route to Raxaul, has meanwhile maintained a conspicuous silence.
NOC chief Digambar Jha said his decision to relocate 60 out of the total of 138 tankers from Barauni was aimed at implementing suggestions made recently by a high-level commission on NOC reforms.
The commission had made such a recommendation mainly as the imports from Barauni were inflicting both additional transportation costs and also high temperature loss on the corporation.
Related story
Govt won't stay mum if Biplab keeps wreaking havoc: Dahal
