Kathmandu, December 16:

The Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ Association (NPDA) today submitted a 17-point memorandum to the Prime Minister’s office, the Finance Ministry, the Home Ministry and to the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Shyam Sundar Gupta, demanding smooth supply of petroleum in the country.

The NPDA has also warned that petrol pumps across the country will be shut from December 25 if their demands were not fulfilled. Shiva Prasad Ghimire, NPDA president, said all the dealers were forced to go on a strike because of the government’s apathy towards ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products.

The NPDA’s has demanded that equal pricing system be adopted for petrol, diesel and kerosene, and the Petroleum Dealers’ Regulations be amended.

Informing about his meeting with Minister Gupta and NOC officials, Ghimire said, “The government says that the petroleum products are being sold at a lower price than its purchase price. It is not interested in finding solution to the problem. That is why we will go on a strike.”

Minister Gupta had told the Finance Committee of the Parliament a few days earlier that Prime Minister GP Koirala had directed the Finance Ministry to give money to the NOC

so that it can pay off the due to the Indian Oil Corporation and ensure smooth supply of petroleum products. But this has not happened so far. Ghimire said NPDA members did not meet the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister.