KATHMANDU, June 18: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) continued distributing diesel and petrol until midnight on Monday, leading to improved market conditions for petroleum products since Tuesday morning.

Following an agreement between the protesting tanker drivers and NOC, transportation of petroleum products resumed on Monday, contributing to market stabilization.

Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta, the managing director of NOC, said that the Bagmati Provincial Office of NOC sold petrol and diesel until late Monday night. "After reaching an agreement with the drivers, we supplied petroleum products until late into night," said MD Bhatta. "The market has been stabilizing since this morning," he added.

Ashok Shah, Head of Nepal Oil Corporation Bagmati Regional Office in Thankot, mentioned that by Monday night, 1,500 kiloliters of petrol and 1,724 kilometers of diesel were distributed to alleviate shortages. "We kept the depot open until 11 PM to fulfill the demands of petrol pumps," Shah stated. "The market situation is improving now."

Under normal circumstances, the Thapathali depot of the Corporation sells 700 kiloliters of petrol and 850 kiloliters of diesel daily. However, on Monday, more than double these amounts were sold.

Earlier on Monday, a shortage of diesel and petrol at pumps across the valley caused prolonged queues for consumers. The situation began to normalize only after the NOC and the protesting drivers reached an agreement following discussions facilitated by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.

The Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association had launched a strike by halting transportation to advocate for their seven-point demand. They demanded compliance with labor laws for appointments and government-specified salaries. They also called for the cancellation of double bank guarantees and annual renewals applicable only to self-employment, as well as proper management of temperature conditions, among other demands.

Additionally, they insisted on provisions for social security contributions, cancellation of cases imposing more than 50 liters in fines, management of risk allowances for drivers and co-drivers, and regular security alert training every three months for each driver and co-driver.

 
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