KATHMANDU: Minister for Supplies Ganesh Man Pun said the government was working on to import fuel from China as the two neighbours had agreed to seal a deal on the issue during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's China visit in May.

He, however, passed the buck to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for delay in sealing the bilateral deal.

Speaking at a meeting of the Parliament's Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee today, the Minister said his Ministry had sent a proposal to the MoFA to expedite diplomatic correspondence between the two nations in order to finalise the deal and import fuel from the northern neighbour.

The MoS proposal, according to Pun, has pointed out that issues of taxation and transportation are yet to be settled between the two nations and diplomatic initiatives should be taken in order to settle them.

Pun informed that the government planned to import around 33 per cent of the total demand of petroleum products in Nepal from China.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee also held a discussion with gas bottlers and consumers, concerned government officials and Nepal Oil Corporation regarding smooth supply of liquefied petroleum gas.

During the meeting, the Committee Chairperson Bhishma Raj Angdembe said the government agencies could not furnish reports about whether the Committee's directives were implemented.

He also urged the government to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products notwithstanding that various road sections are frequently obstructed during the monsoon season.

The Committee would continue discussions on Tuesday also.