Petroleum truck drivers withdraw agitation

Agitating Petroleum truck drivers, have called off their protests after inking a four point deal with the Nepal Oil Corporation on Monday. They had halted the supply of petroleum products since Sunday.

With the agreement in place, the supply of petroleum products in the Kathmandu Valley has eased from Monday evening.

The Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, putting forth a seven-point demand, started the agitation on Sunday. As a result of the shortage, long queues of vehicles formed at government operated fuel stations in Kathmandu.

A government talks team led by Commerce and Supplies Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire held negotiations with the agitating side and agreed to setting up a subcommittee with regard to addressing the association’s demands.

As per the agreement, the subcommittee, led by the Deputy Managing Director of the NOC, is tasked with submitting its report within 15 days. The committee has the representations from the Ministry, Association, the Independent Transport Workers Association of Nepal and the All Nepal Petroleum Workers’ Union.

The petroleum dealers have also committed to providing wages and facilities to tanker drivers, helpers, and other workers keeping with the provisions of the Nepal Oil Corporation.