Kathmandu, October 27:

The eight student unions today submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, through his secretary, at his residence, demanding withdrawal of the decision to hike the price of petroleum products.

The students could not meet PM Koirala because of his busy schedule. A delegation with representation of all eight student unions submitted the memorandum at Baluwatar at around 4 pm.

The students have expressed deep concern over the recent hike in price of petroleum products and demanded its immediate withdrawal, claiming that the decision was taken without considering any other option to decrease the loss incurred by the Nepal Oil Corporation.

The students have also demanded that the government curb all irregularities in the NOC and improve the management of the corporation.

“Both long and short-term plans should be devised to generate alternative energy so as to lessen the dependence on fossil fuel,” the memorandum states.

General secretary of All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary had

read out the memorandum at the PM’s residence. The delegation chanted slogans against the government outside the PM’s residence.

The memorandum said that the students are expecting a positive response from the PM; otherwise, they would have to resort to struggle and protests against the “unfair decision of the government.” The eight students unions are scheduled to submit a protest letter to the head of NOC and organise a sit-in protest for an hour at the NOC premises.