House panel directs ministry to take measures to normalise fuel supply
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KATHMANDU, FEB 01 -
The parliamentary Labour and Finance Relation Committee on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) to take necessary steps to normalise petroleum supply and curb artificial shortages.
The committee also directed agencies concerned to expedite regular market monitoring, calm student unions’ protests over the fuel price hike and submit the government’s planned subsidy packages to it.
Lawmakers at the committee meeting accused the ministry and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) of being reluctant in implementing recommendations by the high-level petroleum reform committee.
On the delay in the construction of Raxual-Amlekhgunj cross-border oil pipeline, Lawmaker Ram Sharan Mahat said the vested interest of oil tankers was the reason behind the situation.
He said the Nepal government does not have to request the Indian Oil Corporation to develop the pipeline as the construction cost is not a big deal to Nepal. “Why is the government not showing interest in this project,” Mahat questioned, saying that the project could save transportation cost significantly and strikes and bandas will also not affect supply. Mahat said Nepal is at risk of energy crisis as it does not have a long-term energy strategy.
“Petroleum prices should be adjusted in line with the international market price,” said Mahat.
“There should be automatic price adjustment mechanism for this.”
Mahat added that the government should also study transportation fare adjustment as fares are determined by transporters unilaterally.
“The regulatory part of the government on transport fare hike should be strong as it could inflate commodity prices.”
Another Lawmaker Hari Roka said the ministry and NOC did not follow the recommendations of the petroleum sector reform committee while raising fuel prices.
Purushottam Ojha, secretary at the ministry, said the frequent change in the government has also affected the ministry’s plans to implement the automatic fuel price adjustment mechanism.
Posted on: 2012-02-01 08:52
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