OPMCM directs NOC to use quality seals

KATHMANDU: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has directed Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to coordinate with Indian Oil Corporation and make use of seals with Nepal Standard mark on oil tankers while importing petroleum products from the southern neighbour.

The instruction was given today by OPMCM Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi based on a report submitted by a high-level committee formed under National Vigilance Centre (NVC) DIG Roshan Nath Pant.

The high-level committee was asked to prepare the report after the National Consumer Forum filed a petition citing it had found deficiency of 50 litres of petroleum products in every 3,000 litres being ferried by oil tankers. This, the forum had said, was hurting consumers.

To implement the recommendations of the report, the OPMCM has formed another high-level committee under Secretary Subedi. The committee also comprises representatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS), the NVC, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, NOC and the National Consumer Forum.

During today’s meeting, Secretary Subedi directed NOC to check the calibration at its depot at Amlekhgunj and other depots. Subedi also directed the MoCS to give high priority to the task and closely monitor the works of NOC.

“Also, flow metres of high quality should be used to measure the content of oil in tankers, online database of calibration-related works executed by NOC should be created, a guideline on supply of petroleum products to fuel pumps should be created and implemented, and measurement instruments being used by NOC should be calibrated,” Subedi said.

Source: THT