Retail fuel at govt-fixed rates: NOC to dealers

KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Thursday asked petroleum dealers not to levy additional charges over retail rates fixed by the government, and instructed them to strictly supply the fuel at state-fixed prices.



Issuing a strict-worded instruction, NOC has even warned that dealers refusing to sell the fuel at government-fixed rates could face stringent actions.[break]



The corporation issued the instruction after dealers referring to the rise in transportation cost retailed petrol at Rs 115.70 per liter, which is 70 paisa higher than the government-fixed rate. On Thursday, a day after the government hiked fuel prices, they also retailed diesel at Rs 85.80 per liter, whereas the government-fixed retail rate is Rs 85 per liter.



“This imposition of additional charges on consumers is illegal. Dealers must know petroleum prices in Nepal are state-administered,” said NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Dhungel.



Minister for Commerce and Supplies Lekh Raj Bhatta too vented ire against the dealers and said that he has already asked NOC to instantly cancel the licenses of dealers that do not comply.



“Amid soaring international prices we have already added huge financial burden on consumers. The dealers by manipulating the rates are only irritating consumers. We will not tolerate it,” Bhatta told Republica.



Dealers, meanwhile, said they levied additional charges over the government-fixed rate mainly as Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association (NPDA) decided for it.

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