The directive came following reports on the media that debt-ridden NOC, despite accumulating losses, was preparing to distribute Rs 900 million in bonuses to its employees.
A source at the Ministry of Finance confirmed that Paudel issued the direction through NOC board member Surya Acharya.
Instead of reducing fuel prices in line with global rates during an fuel-supply crunch due to protests in Tarai and a blockade by India, and paying off the Rs 12 billion in dues it owes the government, NOC was said be preparing to distribute a huge bonuses.
Experts have also said that NOC's attempt to distribute bonus was unlawful as it could not distribute bonus unless the accumulative losses was cleared completely.
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