Nepal Imposes Tough Penalties on Fuel Stations That Disrupt Supply

Kathmandu: The Nepal government has introduced stricter penalties for petrol stations that disrupt the uninterrupted sale and distribution of petroleum products, imposing fines of up to Rs1 million and suspending fuel supplies for up to 15 days.

 The Board of Directors of the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) approved the amendments to the Petroleum Products Dealers Regulations following nationwide disruptions to fuel sales on Wednesday, under the direction of Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari.

 Under the revised rules, dealers found creating artificial fuel shortages by allowing dispensing nozzles to run dry will face escalating penalties. A new provision added to Section 29(gh)(1) prohibits dealers from creating situations in which petroleum products become unavailable by keeping fuel nozzles dry.

First-time offenders will be fined Rs300,000 and face a five-day suspension of petrol and diesel supplies, while a second violation will result in a Rs600,000 fine and a 10-day suspension. A third offence will attract a Rs1 million fine and a 15-day suspension of fuel supplies, according to the minister’s secretariat.