MPs decry fuel price hike at HoR meet

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed objection saying Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has hiked the price of petroleum products exorbitantly. NOC announced a hike in fuel prices effective from Sunday midnight. With the latest price hike, petrol costs Rs 199 per litre. Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, MPs said that the fuel prices have been increased four times in the last one month alone, which has badly hit the daily life of the general public. At the start of the meeting, CPN(UML)'s Padma Aryal alleged the government of hiking the price of petroleum products to such an extent that it will 'break the back' of the people since it spurs market inflation due to the increase in the price of commodities. She said the daily life of the people has been affected due to the frequent hike in fuel prices. Aryal argued that the House session could not move ahead until the government furnished a justified explanation for the price hike. She also voiced her suspicion of financial irregularities in the government's decision of installing the embossed number plate in the vehicles. After lawmaker Aryal's demand, Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota said his attention was drawn to this issue and directed the government to give an appropriate reply. Lalbabu Pandit of the UML expressed objection over the delay in forwarding the process for impeachment of now suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana. Lawmaker Jagat Prasad Sunar from the same party related the havoc caused by the recent incidents of flood and landslide in various places of Kaski. Ganesh Pahadi, also from the UML, protested June 18 'attack' on students who were on a peaceful demonstration at the Minbhawan Campus. Sarita Kumari Giri called for the sincere implementation of the agreement reached by the government in connection with breaking the hunger strike of Niharika Rajput. Shantimaya Tamang Pakhrin informed the House about the incident that took place in Dolakha district during the local level election.

---

Zero Hour: MPs draw government's attention to various issues Meanwhile, lawmakers speaking in the Zero Hour in the meeting of the House of Representatives today drew the attention of the government on national, local and contemporary issues. They raised their voices against the exorbitant hike in the price of petroleum products. Deepak Prakash Bhatta demanded that the government immediately bring into operation the Geta Medical College in Kailali district. He spoke in the regional dialect, Dotyali. Dev Prasad Timilsina and Dharmasila Chapagain drew the government's attention to the urgent need of resolving the citizenship problem. Dev Prasad Gurung called on the government to withdraw the recent decision of hiking the price of petroleum products. Nabina Lama also seconded Gurung. Other lawmakers speaking in the Zero Hour were Dila Sangraula, Thama Maya Thapa, Dal Bahadur Rana, Damodar Bhandari, Nara Bahadur Dhami, Nawaraj Silwal, Narad Muni Rana, Niru Devi Pal and Purna Kumari Subedi. They drew the government's attention to the need of working in favour of the people and the nation. By RSS READ ALSO:

• NOC hikes fuel price again; petrol costs Rs 199 per litre
• HoR meet endorses three bills
• Speaker urges government to immediately address fertiliser shortage issue