'Ensure smooth supply of petro products'

KATHMANDU:

The government has directed all the concerned stakeholders to make supply of petroleum products smooth, as the festive season is drawing nearer. To check possible misconducts, the Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) has also been instructed to increase market inspection.

The instruction was issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) today, after holding a joint meeting with petroleum product suppliers, concerned government agencies, and consumer forums. The meeting, chaired by OPMCM Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi, was held at a time when liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottlers have been demanding that import and supply quota be increased.

According to the decision of the meeting, suppliers of petroleum products will withdraw their protest programmes. And, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) will hold discussions with Nepal LPG Industry Association, Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ Association and the Federation of Nepal Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs regarding their genuine demands and address them.

LPG bottlers have been demanding that the government increase supply quota citing that consumption of LPG has been rising since the last couple of years. As per LPG bottlers, supply of LPG has to be increased from 22,300 tonnes to 31,000 tonnes a month. However, NOC is reluctant to do so as it has been incurring loss of Rs 290 million from LPG business each month.

With the festivals approaching, the OPMCM release stated that Subedi directed the DoCSM to keep a close eye on the market and make monitoring and law enforcement effective. DoCSM has been asked to carry out market monitoring with an extensive plan even during the public holidays.

Source: THT