Petroleum tanker drivers' association reaches 4-point agreement with govt, ends protest

KATHMANDU: Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (NPTDA) called off their protest following a four-point agreement with the government.

The government and the association reached this agreement after a meeting at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS). Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Spokesperson Manoj Thakur informed that fuel supply in the market will resume smoothly from today.

NOC Executive Director Chandika Prasad Bhatta and NPTDA President Ishwar Lama signed the agreement.

To address issues in this sector, including NPTDA's seven-point demand, the meeting decided to form a sub-committee under the coordination of NOC's Deputy Executive Director. This committee will include representatives from the MoICS, NPTDA, Independent Transport Workers' Association of Nepal (ITWAN), and All Nepal Petroleum Workers' Union. According to the four-point agreement, NOC will provide wages and facilities to tanker drivers, assistants, and labourers working in this sector.

Currently, all protest programmes have been withdrawn to ensure the transportation of petroleum products, considering consumer interests. Both parties have also agreed to regularly monitor adherence to existing legal provisions.

Following NPTDA's strike over various seven-point demands for transporting essential petroleum products, there was a shortage of diesel and petrol at fuel stations in the valley since Sunday. The disruption in fuel supply led to long queues at fuel stations.

The Essential Commodities Control (Authorisation) Act, 2017 (1961), classifies petroleum products as essential commodities and prohibits any obstruction of their supply intended for general use.

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