Fuel supply resumes

KATHMANDU, MAR 06 -

Private refueling stations based in the Kathmandu valley resumed fuel distribution from Tuesday evening after the agitating petroleum transporters and the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) sealed a five-point deal ending a two-day strike.

The Valley suffered petroleum crisis for two days after the Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ National Association announced a sudden protest against the murder of Amajad Devan, a tanker driver, in Barauni, India on Friday. The association on Sunday had decided to stop distributing petroleum products across the country.

Agitating transporters had demanded Rs 2.5 million in compensation for the victim’s family and declare Amajad a martyr.

As per the agreement, the victim’s family will be compensated with Rs 800,000. The NOC and the petroleum deal ers will contribute Rs 300,000, while the Nepal Petroleum Transporters’ Federation will offer Rs 500,000.

“The strike was called off on Tuesday afternoon after NOC and the deal ers agreed on a five-point deal that includes compensating the victim’s family and addressing problems faced by petroleum transporters,” said Shiva Pudasaini, spokesperson for NOC.

Other agreements include introducing insurance coverage for tankers ferrying petroleum products from India.

“As the insurance coverage for accident is already in place, the meeting also decided to assess other risks and losses during petroleum transportation,” Pudasaini said, adding the demand will be addressed after holding discussions. There are around 1,500 petroleum tankers across the country.

Fuel supply in almost all private-run stations was affected due to the strike. To keep the fuel flowing, the state-owned NOC had dispatched consignments to pumps operated by the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal Army, and Sajha pumps.

As the state-owned entities were unable to distribute adequate fuel, motorists were forced to queue up at fuel stations for two consecutive days.

NOC said it has supplied 400kl petrol and 500kl diesel to all pumps in the Valley on Tuesday. “The Valley will not witness shortage of petroleum products from Tuesday onwards,” said Pudasaini.

Source: The Kathmandu Post