Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has claimed it has enough petroleum stock to ensure that the people won’t have difficulties in travelling to their home towns to celebrate the Dashain festival.

“We have been distributing petroleum products proportionally every day to maintain stock for the festive season. Public vehicles will get fuel as per their requirement,” NOC Managing Director Gopal Bahadur Khadka said at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Legislature Parliament on Saturday.

NOC has been distributing 250-300KL petrol and 200-250KL diesel every day through several petrol pumps across the country, it said, adding the Kathmandu valley demands around 300KL petrol and 400KL diesel daily.

As far as the aviation fuel is concerned, the NOC chief said the existing stock can meet the demand of domestic airlines for around 20 days. He said the state-owned petroleum monopoly, considering the festive demand, had taken measures to control the supply during normal days.

Home Ministry Spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal said around 2.5 million people are expected to leave the Kathmandu valley during the festive season this year. “Around 42,000 vehicles will be plying in various parts of the country,” he said, adding around 2 million litres of fuel would be required to meet the market demand.

Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa said the NOC has 2 million litres of petroleum to address the festive demand. “However, we also need to look for alternatives. The Ministry has directed the NOC to initiate the process of importing petroleum via any country and any route,” he said, adding the Indian Oil Corporation was supplying just 10 percent of the demand.

Thapa also said India has not allowed trucks to enter Nepal although the government has assured security to the vehicles once they enter the Nepali territory. He said the ministry has tabled a bill in the Parliament to allow the private sector to import petroleum products.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said the country should look for alternatives to make sure such a situation does not arrive in the future. “We need to keep engaging with India diplomatically. At the same time, we also need to look for alternatives,” Pandey said, adding the ministry was ready to take steps based on the government’s decision to end the crisis.

Most of the parliamentarians slammed the government for its failure to inform the general

people about the ongoing situation. “People are unaware of what’s going on. The government should clarify. People are in a situation of panic,” MP Birendra Mahato said.

Nepali Congress MP Dhan Raj Gurung criticised the top political leaders for prioritising government formation over the current political turmoil.

Private vehicles to get fuel

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to provide petroleum products to private vehicles to enable the people to reach their destinations for the Dashain festival. A meeting of the Home Ministry, Commerce Ministry, three security agencies and Nepal Oil Corporation decided to provide fuel to private from Tuesday. Under Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supply Shiva Prasad Tripathi said the NOC has been ordered to make arrangements as per Saturday’s decision, under which motorcycles will get five litres and car/jeep will get 15 litres of fuel. NOC will fix the petrol pumps that will distribute the oil.

Continue with diplomatic initiations: PAC

KATHMANDU: The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the government to continue with diplomatic initiations for ensuring the transit rights to Nepal. The committee also said the government should rigorously discuss the issue with international communities. Stating the blockade imposed by India and unrest in the Tarai region are two separate issues, the committee directed the government not to relate these issues. Stating the government has kept the people in confusion regarding the ongoing situation, the committee has directed the government to disseminate truthful information. “There is no clarity among the people regarding the current situation,” PAC Chairman Janardan Sharma said. “The government should make issues like import capacity of the government clear. This will help the people set a frame and manage accordingly,” Sharma said, directing the government to ensure the Nepali people get to celebrate the most celebrated festival of the country—Dashain—without many difficulties.