Kavre, January 22:

Government spokesman and Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara said today that the decision to hike prices of petroleum products yesterday was solely that of the Nepal Oil Corporation. He said that the NOC had not consulted the government while taking the decision.

Minister Mahara who arrived in Dhulikhel today for inauguration of a project, said the NOC never discussed with the government before the earlier hike in petro products. “It is a wrong move and the government has taken it seriously,” he said.

He said the issue will be taken up at the next cabinet meeting. “The cabinet will seriously discuss for price adjustment.”

Referring to remarks by Minister Sujata Koirala on prolonging monarchy, he said it was anti-constitution and such comments should be withdrawn immediately. Saying that the PM’s ill health has forced the putting off of regular cabinet meetings, he said it could also defer the CA polls.