In yet another blow to crisis hit Nepali people, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has reduced the supply of fuel to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). 

According to acting deputy executive director at NOC, Sushil Bhattarai, the IOC showed reluctance to give fuel to most of the tankers that reached various depots in India to load fuel. “We had sent tankers to load fuel after the IOC called us,” said Bhattarai. “But we were not given enough fuel. We were only deceived.”

He said 17 tankers went to Siliguri but only six of them were allowed to load oil. He said twenty tankers were sent to Barauni of which only 21 were given fuel.  He added only seven out of 38 tankers were given fuel at Botalpur border entry point. 

Likewise, 14 out of 19 were given fuel in Gonda, seven out of 12 in Mathura, were given fuel today, while 63 tankers sent to Raxaul have not given fuel. 

“We are facing problems due to cut back in fuel supply. We are trying to talk to IOC officials to understand the problem,” said Bhattarai. “But the officials have been refusing to come in contact.”

The NOC said the drivers have been left in lurch as they were denied fuel after calling them in India. 

The IOC had increased the oil supply to Nepal from Saturday after the election of CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma as the prime minister. The IOC had called the NOC to send tankers for refilling at its depots.