Kathmandu, June 5
The collection and disbursement of petroleum products through the Amlekhgunj depot of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) resumed from today after NOC assured security of fuel truck/tanker drivers.
Agitating fuel-ferrying drivers had stopped supplying petroleum products to and from the Amlekhgunj depot since Sunday protesting against the misconduct of Indian police personnel towards Nepali drivers. They had staged protests citing that the Indian police had thrashed their colleague mercilessly and had even threatened to kill him.
Sushil Bhattarai, acting deputy managing director of NOC, informed that the concerned Nepali and Indian authorities have been urged to address the fuel-ferrying drivers’ demand, following which drivers have started collecting fuel from Indian oil refineries and supplying it to the domestic market.
Though misconduct of Indian police was the prime reason behind the protest, a few NOC officials had been alleging that the protest also intended to defy NOC’s move to instal security locking system in all petroleum tankers to prevent oil pilferage activities.
Earlier today, NOC had also warned fuel tanker operators that it would scrap their licences if they do not resume supply by today evening.
However, Bhattarai said that the problem lies in ineffective communication between Indian authorities, especially customs offices and their Nepali counterparts.
“On more than one occasion, the Indian government has changed some provisions in their system without notifying Nepali counterparts. As a result, Nepali fuel suppliers have had to face problems for following the earlier legal provisions,” said Bhattarai.
Citing that the border customs offices of both the countries have a bigger role to make the trade relationship between the two countries harmonious, Bhattarai urged Indian offices in Raxaul to immediately notify NOC about any changes in their system.
Meanwhile, Bhattarai also informed that the Indian authority had been requested to take necessary action against the misdeeds of the Indian police on Nepali drivers.
The halt in supply of fuel from Amlekhgunj depot had created fear of fuel shortage in the Valley. While a few petrol pumps were shut on Sunday and Monday, people were seen queuing around the fuel stations that had remained open.
Written by Sandeep
This news first appeared on https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/nocs-amlekhgunj-depot-resumes-operations/ under the title “NOC’s Amlekhgunj depot resumes operations”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
