Students give govt 24 hours to withdraw decision

KATHMANDU, Jan 19: Student unions of 13 political parties including the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) have issued a 24-hour ultimatum starting 10 am Thursday to the government to take back the fuel price hike decision.



The government however has ruled out any possibility of withdrawal of its decision.[break]



“We had submitted a memorandum to the government, when the fuel prices were last raised, demanding 50% concession on kerosene and cooking gas for the poor and students and they had committed to provide some relief then. But they have unilaterally raised prices once again. So, we demand that the decision be taken back and the concessions committed on the then prices be given,” Vice-president of the CPN-UML affiliated All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) Navaraj Paudel said.



Minister for Commerce and Supplies Lekha Raj Bhatta had called the students for a meeting at four in the afternoon but the students did not turn up insisting that they would not sit for any dialogue until the government takes back the latest decision.



The students have unveiled a nation-wide agitation, that has been supported by youth associations of all political parties, starting from 10 Friday morning culminating in the Valley Banda on January 25.



“We will announce stricter protests programs if the government does not take back the decision by January 25,” ANNISU-R President Himal Sharma said.







Minister Bhatta said the government can provide a maximum subsidy of Rs 200 per gas cylinder for the poor and students, and also some concession on kerosene but said it would take at least two months to complete the procedures involved in such mechanism.



“There is no way we can take back the decision unless the Prime Minister decides to cut development budget to fund subsidies. I don´t see any other alternative,” Minister Bhatta said.



Student leaders argue that international price of fuel has not risen as steeply in the recent past to justify the massive hike. The students suggest that the government make profit from commercial users and provide subsidy for domestic consumers on gas and kerosene by adopting dual pricing as an alternative that Minister Bhatta sought.



“The government is providing gas cylinders to hoteliers, who contribute to almost half of the total domestic gas consumption, at Rs 400 cheaper than domestic users through VAT refunds and they say they have no alternative to price hike. Does the government not have any responsibility toward its people?” Paudel fumed.



There were sporadic protests across the country on Thursday protesting the price hike announced by the government on Wednesday.

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