Pokhara, June 3:

Nepal Oil Corporation has reduced the daily supply of petroleum products to Pokhara and adjoining areas by 50 per cent.

The supply of petroleum products has been reduced by 50 per cent, manager at NOC western regional depot Suraj Shah said.

NOC’s move was aimed at pressuring the government either to hike the prices of petroleum products or provide subsidy to the cash-strapped corporation.

Before NOC effected the decision, daily 96,000 litres of diesel, 36,000 litres of petrol and 41,000 litres of kerosene was consumed here daily.

“The habit of consumers storing petroleum products was also creating the problem. Failure on the part of the government to take timely decision will lead to closure of transaction of petroleum products,” Shah said.

Beside Pokhara, the depot has been supplying petroleum products to Tanahun, Syangja, Baglung, Parvat, Myagdi and Mustang districts.

Meanwhile, Gandaki-Dhaulagiri Petroleum Dealers’ Association, which distributes petroleum products in Gandaki and Dhaulagiri region, demanding smooth supply of petroleum products, today handed over a memorandum to the NOC western regional depot in Pokhara.

“If the government did not resolve the problems faced by petroleum entrepreneurs, we would be forced to give up our profession,” Nabin Baral, chairman of the association, said.