Truckers Federation Protests Fuel Price Hike Amid Gulf Tensions

The Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Federation has objected to the recent increase in petroleum prices, citing the war in the Gulf region and the resulting rise in global crude oil prices.

A statement issued by the Federation's Chairman, Rajendra Bikram Baniya, mentioned that the current price hike will negatively affect the transport sector and the entire public life.

The Federation expressed serious concern over the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) increasing petroleum prices unusually high through a press release issued on Chaitra 1, 2082. The NOC stated that the rise in crude oil prices, due to the impact on the production and supply of petroleum products from the Gulf region to the global market because of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, has affected Nepal.

The statement noted that the general public is angered by the fuel price hike, and it will directly impact the transport business. According to the Federation, there was a written agreement between the Department of Transport Management and the Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs Federation to operate trucks based on a fare determined by a scientific system, adjusting fares when the price of petroleum products changes by 5 rupees per liter.

The Federation demanded that the relevant government bodies automatically adjust truck fares according to the same scientific method following the increase in diesel prices. The Federation clarified that with the current fare structure not being effectively implemented, it will be difficult for truck entrepreneurs to operate their business at the old fares when fuel prices increase.

The Federation stated that although a scientific policy for adjusting vehicle fares based on fluctuations in petroleum prices has been in place since 2065 BS, its effective implementation has been lacking. Furthermore, it expressed dissatisfaction that the fare structure has not been reviewed since Poush 22, 2081, and demanded an immediate rollback of the price increase.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Oil Corporation has increased the price of petrol by 15 rupees per liter and diesel and kerosene by 10 rupees per liter starting today. The increased prices will be effective from midnight on Sunday, the NOC announced.

Under the new pricing, for the third category areas including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal, petrol has reached 172 rupees per liter, and diesel-kerosene has reached 152 rupees. For the second category areas including Dang and Surkhet, petrol is set at 171 rupees, and diesel-kerosene at 151 rupees.

Similarly, for the first category areas including Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Amlekhganj, Bhalwari, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, and Birgunj, the price of petrol has been set at 169 rupees 50 paisa, and the price of diesel-kerosene at 149 rupees 50 paisa, the NOC stated.