Fuel supply to ease from today

Kathmandu, September 21

Supply of petroleum products, which has been interrupted since Tuesday, is expected to ease from tomorrow as the government today signed an eight-point pact with the agitating transport entrepreneurs who had been halting the supply of goods (including fuel) demanding revisions in a few transportation-related provisions in the recently enacted penal code.

Following the agreement, transporters have called off all scheduled protests, Basanta Sharma, coordinator of the struggle committee of transporters, told THT.

Transport entrepreneurs, especially those operating trucks and tankers, had been agitating against a few provisions in the penal code, including up to 10-year imprisonment for accidents and life imprisonment for causing deaths. The situation worsened after fuel-ferrying tankers participated in the protest of transport entrepreneurs.

“We have rolled back all our protest programmes after the government signed the agreement assuring our concerns will be addressed,” said Sharma.

Today’s agreement also states  that a representative of transporters will be included in the probe committee of any vehicle accident that results in injury or death and action will be taken as per the panel’s recommendation. Transport entrepreneurs had been complaining that all investigations carried out by the government and police favoured the victim.

Moreover, the government has also agreed to evaluate transport-related provisions in the penal code and amend them, if necessary.

Through the agreement, the government has also assured transport entrepreneurs of repair and maintenance of traffic lights and road networks in city areas and major routes.

The government has said it will discuss the concerns raised by transport entrepreneurs on uncouth behaviour of traffic police with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Today’s agreement states that transport entrepreneurs will call off their protest immediately and the government will release the transport entrepreneurs who were arrested during the recent protest.

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