Kathmandu/Birgunj, September 7:

Import of petroleum products has resumed following the withdrawal of the indefinite strike by the Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ Association (NPTDA) on Friday morning.

The four-day long supply halt came to an end after a written agreement between the NPTDA and Janakpur Petroleum Entrepreneurs’ Association under the mediation of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) was inked last night. Following this, transportation of fuel has also started within the country.

Tanker drivers went on a nationwide strike on Monday demanding the reinstatement of six sacked fellow drivers by the Janakpur Petroleum Entrepreneurs. As per the agreement, it has been agreed that Binod Das, Jogi Yadav, and Jagannath Thakur would be provided with Rs 117,000 each as compensation.

Similarly, an understanding has also been reached to reinstate three other tanker drivers who were sacked during the agitation of the tanker drivers, which began on August 27, said Binod Manandhar, president of NPTDA.

At the talks, it was has been agreed to form a five-member taskforce under the coordination of Manandhar to guarantee the employment of tanker drivers and look after their welfare. The task force will present its report by mid-September.

Meanwhile, NOC today slightly increased the daily supply quota for the Kathmandu valley, as it released 132,000 litres of petrol, 180,000 litres of diesel and 144,000 litres of kerosene from its Thankot depot.

Although the released amount is lesser than the total demand, NOC officials confessed that

supply situation wouldn’t improve unless it clears the outstanding dues of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

“The resumption of transportation alone will not solve the real problem of current supply crisis,” said Iccha Bikram Thapa, spokesperson at NOC, adding that IOC has already cut supply in the range of 45 to 50 per cent due to failure of NOC to clear outstanding dues, which currently stands at Rs 3.2 billion.

NOC is facing an acute fund crunch, while it has been incurring losses for the last five years. The accumulated loans and dues to be repaid by it have crossed Rs 11 billion, he added.

According to Thapa, NOC has asked the government for an additional Rs 1.5 billion loan to manage its full stock at its main depots at Kathmandu, Amlekhgunj, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa.

“If we have to maintain a regular supply, then we need to have an adequate stock,” he said, adding that the NOC has also given an alternative option of lending it Rs 550 million to cover its monthly loss and an additional payment of Rs 250 million to IOC for the month of September.

“IOC is supplying petroleum products on the basis of money we pay. Since we have not been able to pay the required amount, the cut in supply is obvious,” he added.