National Gen-Z Citizens Campaign Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum Over Fuel Price Hikes

Kathmandu. The National Gen-Z Citizens Campaign has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Nepal Oil Corporation and the government. During a press conference held at Sambad Dabali in the capital on Saturday, the organization warned that it would surround the Oil Corporation if the extreme price hikes in petroleum products are not reversed.

Sunil Singh, coordinator of the National Gen-Z Citizens Campaign, warned that if fuel prices are not adjusted within 24 hours, they will gherao the Oil Corporation. "Is this the gift of a two-thirds majority government, to crush the public under the burden of inflation, while those who claimed to free the people from the shackles of the old guard now do the same?" Singh questioned. "If the government does not listen to the voice of the people, we will struggle to end the existence of the Oil Corporation," he warned.

Co-coordinator Ajay Sodari expressed strong objection to the excessive price hikes in Nepal, noting that prices remain stable in neighboring countries. "It is shameful that while petrol costs 95 rupees in neighboring India, it is 219 rupees in Nepal," Sodari said.

Accusing the government of imposing inflation on the public under the guise of a 50 percent tax exemption, Sodari said, "We hope we do not have to surround the government and the Oil Corporation that are staging a drama of tax exemptions." Expressing that the two-thirds majority government has hiked fuel prices unnaturally despite expectations of justice, Sodari added, "The government has shown its power by raising petrol from 157 to 219 rupees per liter, and diesel/kerosene from 142 to 237 rupees."

Expressing frustration over the silence regarding the government's anti-people actions, Sodari said, "Inflation keeps rising, as if this is a silent period for the government and the people; everyone is quiet despite this."

He also expressed outrage over the deteriorating foreign policy and diplomacy, noting that everyone remains silent while other countries are using territories like Kalapani and Lipulekh.

"We are not corpses or objects; we have a conscience. The hijacking of democracy and freedom of expression is unacceptable. We are not prepared to wait even an hour, let alone a day, regarding the basic problems of public livelihood," Sodari stated.

Gen-Z member Prakash Bam accused the government of moving toward dictatorial steps, citing that the public is now prohibited from entering Singha Durbar, despite the government coming to power through the strength of the Gen-Z movement.

Gen-Z member Janam Singh warned of a strict protest if fuel prices are not adjusted immediately. Gen-Z member Sushil Budhathoki stated that fuel prices must be reduced immediately, as failure to stabilize them will cause inflation to skyrocket across all sectors.

Gen-Z member Anish Tripathi asserted that the unnatural fuel price hike by the two-thirds majority government has dealt a severe blow to the hopes and trust of the people.