NOC writesto IOC to scrap tanker rerouting

Kathmandu February  8- Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has written to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) requesting permits for petroleum tankers loaded at its Barauni and Raxaul depots to enter Nepal through the Birgunj-Raxaul border, which reopened on Friday after remaining closed for more than four months.

Due to the blockade, NOC has so far been rerouting the tankers to other customs points such has Bhairahawa-Sunauli and Biratnagar-Jogbani. NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Ghimire said they forwarded an email to IOC on Sunday, requesting the latter to also allow LPG bullets loaded at IOC’s Haldiya and Barauni depots through Birgunj. NOC hopes the IOC will increase fuel supply amid improved political situation.

Frustrated with long-running protests of Madhes-based political parties, local entrepreneurs on Friday chased the protestors away from no-man’s land and reopened the customs point. Following the development, NOC had sent 35 tankers to IOC’s Raxaul depot, but the depot officials refused to refill the tankers, stating no orders from higher authorities, according to NOC officials.“We are in a wait-and-see mode. As Sunday is public holiday in India, let’s see if IOC boosts the supply from Monday,” Ghimire said.

‘No decision’ on price revision

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said it has not taken any decision on revising petroleum prices amid the prices hitting rock bottom in the international markets. The Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday had directed NOC to slash the prices.

According to the NOC website, the price of crude oil has dropped to $34.06 a barrel in the international market. Despite the adoption of the auto pricing mechanism since September 2014, NOC has failed to revise the prices timely in line with the international market, citing short supply of fuel amid India-imposed blockade.